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ENTERTAINING       ""  +C.    *r**r*9~*«. 

ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON; 


EXHIBITING 


HIS    PATRIOTISM    AND    COURAGE 


WITH    OTHER 


EXCELLENT     TRAITS    OF    CHARACTER, 


WITH     ENGRAVINGS. 


NEW    YORK: 

SAMUEL  COLMAN,   8  ASTOR   HOUSE 

1839. 


V*..'- 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1833, 

BY  CARTER,  HENDEE  AND  CO., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  Massachusetts. 


NEW-ENGLAND    TYPE    AND    STEREOTYPE    FOUNDRY  ! 
GEO.   A.   &  J.    CURTIS,  BOSTON. 


library.  Univ.  of 
North  Carolina 

PREFACE. 


The  following  work,  designed  for  the  benefit  of  quite  a 
young  class  of  readers,  lays  no  great  claim  to  originality. 
In  the  preparation  of  it,  the  author  has  availed  himself  of 
every  article  adapted  to  his  purpose,  which  he  could  rea- 
dily obtain.  Most  of  the  pieces  required  essential  altera- 
tion, to  meet  the  understandings  of  those  for  whom  the 
work  is  intended ;  and  several  have  been  written  entirely 
anew. 

The  task  has  been  a  humble  one,  which  the  author  has 
attempted ;  but  it  becomes  exalted  by  means  of  the  noble 
character  whose  virtues  it  is  here  attempted  to  portray  to 
^    the  children  of  the  United  States. 

[No  mind  can  dwell  upon  such  a  character  as  that  of 
Washington,  without  delight;  and  presented,  as  it  maybe, 
A  and  should  be,  to  the  children  of  the  land,  at  their  forming 
*  period,  it  is  eminently  calculated  to  contribute  to  theii 


IV  PREFACE. 

patriotism,  piety,  and  benevolence ;  and,  in  truth,  to  e very- 
virtue  which  can  enrich  and  adorn  the  human  mind. 

It  has  been  justly  observed  by  another,  and  as  eloquently 
as  justly,  that  "we  cannot  recur  too  often,  nor  dwell  too 
long,  upon  the  lives  of  such  men ;  for  our  own  will  take 
something  of  their  form  and  impression  from  those  on 
which  they  rest.  If  we  inhale  the  moral  atmosphere  in 
which  they  moved,  we  must  feel  its  purifying  and  invigo- 
rating influence.  If  we  raise  our  thoughts  to  their  devo- 
tion, our  minds  will  be  expanded,  and  ennobled,  in  behold- 
ing the  immeasurable  distance  beneath  and  around  us. 
Can  we  breathe  the  pure  mountain  air,  and  not  be  refreshed? 
Can  we  walk  abroad  among  the  beautiful  and  the  grand 
of  the  works  of  creation,  and  feel  no  kindling  of  devotion  ?" 


CONTENTS. 


Pago 

Introduction 7 

Washington  and  his  Father     .         .         .         .         . '       .         .  11 

Washington's  regard  for  Truth 15 

Washington  taught  the  Being  of  a  God 19 

The  favorite  Colt 29 

His  Affection  for  his  Mother 35 

Washington's  first  Public  Service 40 

Manner  of  his  becoming  possessed  of  Mount  Vernon       .        .  44 

Bravery  at  Braddock's  Defeat 45 

Indian  Prophecy 49 

Kindness  to  the  Poor       .         . 57 

Washington  and  the  Old  English  Soldier         ....  58 

Washington  in  Danger 59 

Calmness  of  Washington 61 

Courage 61 

Liberality >.         .                  .         .  62 

Miraculous  Escape 64 

Strength 66 

Stature            .         . 68 

Retaliation  of  Washington 69 

Mount  Vernon 72 

A  wonderful  Deliverance         .        .         .         .         .         .         .  75 

Sense  of  Justice 86 

A  noble  Act S9 


VI  CONTENTS. 

Page 

The  six  bushels  of  Salt 91 

Travelling  on  the  Sabbath 02 

Punctuality 93 

Religious  Customs  of  Washington 96 

Washington's  Benevolence 101 

Friendship  for  Gen.  Knox 104 

Favorite  Horses       . 105 

Farewell  to  his  Officers    .         .  - 105 

Resignation  of  his  Military  Commission 108 

President  Mifflin's  Reply 109 

Appointed  President .         .  Ill 

Journey  to  New  York 114 

Inaugural  Address ."      .         .  116 

Washington's  Journeys  ........  119 

Washington  and  the  Irishman  M       .        .         .         .121 

Franklin's  Toast 124 

Youth  and  Experience 125 

Bonaparte's  Opinion  of  Washington 126 

President's  Guard .        .         .127 

Washington  in  Retirement 128 

His  Last  Hours       .                 132 


INTRODUCTION. 

More  than  thirty  years  have  elapsed  since  the  earthly 
career  of  Washington  closed.  None  of  those  for  whom 
this  little  work  is  designed,  ever  saw  this  distinguished 
man  ;  nor  will  this  pleasure,  in  this  world,  pertain  to  them. 
But  they  may  become  acquainted  with  him,  through  the 
medium  of  others. 

And  what  better  model  can  be  set  before  the  children  of 
the  United  States,  both  in  early  and  in  more  advanced 
life  ?  He  was  a  pattern  of  obedience  to  the  wishes  of  his 
parents.  His  firm  adherence  to  truth,  even  when  a  boy, 
is  worthy  of  special  notice.  This  was  a  trait  in  his  char- 
acter which  was  never  tarnished.  Through  a  long,  and 
active,  and  toilsome  life,  he  was  just,  temperate,  and  hon- 
est; modest,  generous,  and  brave.  As  a  friend  to  his 
country,  his  name  stands  enrolled  among  the  noblest  pat- 
riots. He  devoted  his  best  days  to  her  service,  and  this 
without  reward,  except  the  well-earned  praises  of  his  fel- 
low-citizens.    Was  he  not  worthy  of  imitation  ? 

We  are  aware  that  it  may  be  said,  indeed,  by  the  child, 
that  his  lot  is  a  far  different  one  from  that  of  Washington. 
But  although  no  one  may  be  presented  with  precisely  the 
same  theatre  of  distinguished  action,  yet  to  whom  is  the 


Vlll  INTRODUCTION. 

path  to  usefulness  and  honor  closed?  The  field  for  ex- 
hibiting the  virtues  of  character,  which  Washington  ex- 
hibited, may  not  indeed  be  so  wide  to  every  one ;  but  it  is 
nevertheless  true,  what  the  poet  has  said — 

Who  does  the  best  his  circumstance  allows, 
Does  well,  acts  nobly ;  angels  could  no  more. 

Your  station  in  life,  little  reader,  may  be  a  humble  one, 
yet,  if  you  fulfil  the  duties  of  it  faithfully,  you  will  deserve 
equally  well  of  your  country,  as  if,  in  a  more  conspicuous 
station,  you  did  more.  In  the  latter  case,  more  would  be 
expected.  In  like  manner,  you  may  hope  to  be  rewarded 
hereafter  by  the  great  God,  who  will  bestow  his  favors 
upon  men,  not  in  proportion  to  the  talents  entrusted  to 
them,  but  according  to  their  improvement  of  those  they 
enjoyed. 

I  would  add  a  single  remark,  touching  the  advantages 
which  the  young  enjoy,  in  this  country,  above  all  other 
countries.  Here,  the  path  to  usefulness,  honor,  office,  lies 
open  to  all.  He  that  is  honest  and  capable  may  reach  the 
most  exalted  and  honorable  station  in  our  land.  All  may 
be  honest;  and  with  the  privileges  for  education  with 
which  most  are  favored,  many  more  might  become  quali- 
fied for  eminence,  were  they  sufficiently  diligent  and  per- 
severing in  their  application. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 


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WASHINGTON  AND  HIS  FATHER. 

It  was  a  lovely  morning  in  the  autumn  of 
1737,  when  the  father  of  George  rapped  at  the 
door  of  two  friends,  who  were  on  a  visit  to  his 
family,  and  invited  them  to  accompany  him  in 
a  wralk.  The  invitation  was  gladly  accepted. 
2 


12  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

It  was  indeed  a  delightful  morning.  The 
party  were  full  of  life  and  animation.  But 
no  one  seemed  to  enjoy  the  walk  more  than 
George,  who  was,  at  this  time,  a  small  boy  of 
five  years  old. 

"  We  will  take  a  turn  in  the  orchard,"  said 
Mr.  Washington.  "  I  can  show  you  a  fine 
sight." 

"  A  fine  sight,  indeed,"  observed  one  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  party,  as  they  entered  a  large 
orchard,  abounding  with  the  richest  variety  of 
fruit.  "  The  ground  seems  to  be  quite  covered, 
and  yet  the  trees  are  still  bending  under  their 
load." 

"An  abundant  crop,"  said  Mr.  Washing- 
ton ;  "  more  than  we  shall  well  know  how  to 
dispose  of." 

At  this  moment  Mr.  Washington  turned  to 
George,  who  was  round  among  the  trees, 
selecting  the  fairest  apples  he  could  find,  and 
filling  his  pocket — "  George,  my  son  !" 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON".  13 

"What,  father,"  said  George;    "do  you 
want  me?" 

"  I  called  you,  my  son.     Come  here." 
George  came  running  to  his  father,  who  said, 
"  Do  you  remember,  my  son,  how  that  your 
cousin  gave  you  a  large  fine  apple  last  spring?" 
"Yes,  sir." 

"  Well,  George,  and  what  became  of  it  ?" 
The  countenance  of  George  fell.  He  look- 
ed quite  confused  and  ashamed.  The  apple  in 
question  had  been  given  to  him;  and  when 
asked  by  his  father  to  divide  it,  and  to  give  part 
to  his  little  brothers  and  sisters,  he  had  almost 
refused.  He  was  quite  a  small  boy,  and  his 
father  had  endeavored  to  show  him  the  impro- 
priety of  being  selfish.  And,  moreover,  he 
had  told  him  that,  in  the  autumn,  he  would 
give  him  an  abundance  of  apples,  if  he  would 
be  liberal  and  kind. 
I  said  George  appeared  confused  and  asham- 


14  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

ed.  He  looked  down  upon  the  ground,  and 
scratched  the  earth  with  his  little  toes,  just  as 
I  have  seen  other  boys  do  when  they  felt  bad. 

"  Look  up,  my  son,  look  up,"  said  Mr. 
Washington,  "  and  see  how  bounteous  God 
has  been  to  us.  Here  are  more  apples  than 
you  could  eat  in  ail  your  life.  I  promised  you 
an  abundance ;  and  now,  because  you  gave 
your  brothers  and  sisters  some  of  your  apple 
last  spring,  you  may  have  as  many  as  you 
want." 

This  did  not  satisfy  George.  He  had  indeed 
given  a  part  of  his  apple  to  his  brothers  and 
sisters,  but  he  had  done  it  reluctantly,  and 
now  he  felt  condemned  for  his  selfishness ; 
nor  was  he  happy  again  until,  stepping  up  to 
his  father,  he  said,  in  a  soft  and  very  pleasant 
tone,  "  Well,  father,  only  forgive  me  this  time, 
and  see  if  I  ever  be  so  stingy  any  more." 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  15 

WASHINGTON'S  EARLY  REGARD  FOR  TRUTH. 

Some  time  after  the  above  occurrence,  I  sup- 
pose it  was,  George  had  a  present  made  him  of 
a  hatchet.  Like  other  boys,  he  was  very  fond 
of  it,  and  was  abroad  every  fine  day  to  use  it. 

At  length  he  found  his  way  into  the  garden, 
where  he  employed  himself  for  some  time  in 
hacking  pea-bushes.  This  was  quite  an  inno- 
cent amusement.  But  by  and  by,  he  discover- 
ed a  young  cherry-tree,  which  he  attacked  with 
great  spirit ;  and,  though  unable  to  cut  it  down, 
he  so  hacked  it  as  to  render  it  of  no  value. 

It  happened  to  be  a  choice  variety,  and  a  tree 
which  his  father  had  cultivated  with  great  care. 

The  next  morning,  Mr.  Washington  was,  as 
usual,  in  the  garden  quite  early,  and  disco- 
vered the  mischief. 

"What!  what!  who  has  done  this?"  he 
inwardly  exclaimed,  as  he  examined  the  lace- 


16  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

rated  tree.  "  I  would  scarcely  have  taken 
five  guineas  for  it." 

With  some  warmth,  and  a  somewhat  quicker 
step  than  usual,  he  hastened  into  the  house, 
and  began  his  inquiries  as  to  the  author  of  the 
mischief. 

No  one  knew — no  one  had  remarked  it; 
and  for  a  time,  it  seemed  doubtful  whether 
the  author  would  be  found  out. 

Where  George  was  all  this  time,  I  am  un- 
able to  say  ;  but,  at  length,  it  occurred  to 
Mr.  Washington  that  he  had  a  hatchet,  and 
might  prove  to  be  the  rogue. 

Search  for  George  was  now  made,  when, 
lo  !  the  fellow  was  discovered  with  the  very 
instrument  of  all  the  mischief  in  his  hand. 

"  George !"  said  his  father,  with  some  stern- 
ness. 

"What,  father?"  said  George,  quite  con- 
fused ;  not  thinking  about  the  cherry-tree,  and 
not  knowing  indeed  much  about  its  value. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  17 

"  George  !  do  you  know" — I  can  well  ima- 
gine that  Mr.  Washington  almost  hesitated 
to  go  on  with  the  question,  for  fear  George 
might  be  tempted  to  conceal  the  truth.  But, 
be  this  as  it  may,  he  did  ask, — 

"  George !  do  you  know  who  killed  that  beau- 
tiful little  cherry-tree,  yonder,  in  the  garden  ?" 

What  a  question  for  poor  George  !  For  a 
moment  he  said  nothing  ;  his  head  fell ;  he 
looked  upon  the  ground  ;  he  was  tempted  to 
say  "  that  he  did  not  know."  But  this  would 
not  do  ;  no,  he  could  not  deceive  ;  or,  if  he 
could,  he  would  not ;  so,  looking  up  to  his 
father,  with  a  manly  spirit  of  confession,  and 
with  a  kind  of  triumph  that  he  had  gotten  the 
victory  over  the  temptation  which  came  upon 
him  to  deceive,  he  cried  out,  "J  can't  tell  a 
lie,  father;  you  knoiv  I  can't  tell  a  lie.  I 
did  cut  it  with  my  hatchet." 

This  was  a  noble  confession.  Mr.  Wash- 
ington felt  a  thrill  of  joy  running  through  all 


18 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 


his  bones,  and  his  heart  fairly  leaped  with 
delight.  He  clasped  his  son  to  his  bosom, 
and  exclaimed,  "  I  am  glad  you  killed  the 
cherry-tree,  for  by  means  of  it  I  have  dis- 


covered how  much  my  boy  regards  the  truth. 
You  was  powerfully  tempted  to  deceive  ;  but 
you  have  nobly  triumphed.  Such  a  victory  is 
worth  a  thousand  trees  all  blossoming  with 
silver — nay,  all  loaded  with  gold." 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  19 


WASHINGTON  TAUGHT  THE  BEING  OF  A  GOD. 

The  father  of  George  was  a  man  who  was 
deeply  impressed  with  the  importance  of  a 
belief  in  the  existence  of  a  Supreme  Being. 
And  before  his  son  was  very  old,  he  took  the 
following  plain  and  delightful  method  of  instil- 
ling into  his  mind  the  same  solemn  truth. 

He  prepared,  one  day,  a  bed  of  earth  in 
the  garden,  in  the  neighborhood  of  a  favorite 
walk  of  his  son.  In  this,  he  wrote  with  a 
small  stick  the  name  of  his  son,  George  Wash- 
ington,  at  full  length,  and  just  in  those  letters 
he  scattered  plentifully  some  cabbage  seed. 
This  being  done,  he  carefully  covered  the  seed, 
smoothed  over  the  bed,  and  waited  the  issue. 

In  a  few  days  the  seed  germinated,  the  plants 
appeared,  and  then,  quite  conspicuously  in  the 
bed,  appeared  in  green — nature's  writing — the 
name  of  George  Washington. 


20  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

One  day,  not  long  after,  the  desired  disco- 
very was  made.  George  was  taking  his  fa- 
vorite course  in  the  garden,  either  trundling 
his  wagon  or  riding  his  prancing  horse — a 
bean-pole,  perhaps,  or  a  broomstick — when 
his  eye  caught  a  sight  of  the  wonder. 

He  stopped  and  gazed — spelt  the  name — 
hesitated — doubted — read  again ;  he  never  saw 
such  a  wonder  before — never  heard  of  any  such 
thing— could  not  believe  fo's  eyes ;  yet  it  was  so. 

He  tarried  not  long,  but  bounded  towards 
the  house,  and  soon  stood  in  the  presence  of 
his  father. 

"  Father  !"  exclaimed  he. 

"  Well,  George,  what's  the  matter  V 

«  Why,  father,  I've  seen  such  a  sight  !" 

"  What  ?  where,  my  son  V  inquired  Mr. 
Washington,  entering  with  kindness  into  the 
animation  and  surprise  of  his  son. 

"  In  the  garden,  sir." 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  21 

"And  what  have  you  seen  strange  in  the 
garden  V 

"  Oh !  come  and  see,  come  and  see,  father  ; 
something  I  never  heard  of  before,"  said 
George. 

Although  well  persuaded  what  the  strange 
sight  would  prove  to  be,  Mr.  Washington  re- 
paired, with  more  than  usual  expedition,  to 
the  spot  ;  George  leading  the  way,  by  some 
rods  in  advance. 

"  Here,  father,  here  it  is.  Did  you  ever 
see  such  a  sight  before  7" 

"What  is  it  you  see  so  strange  V*  said  Mr. 
Washington,  now  approaching,  and  affecting 
some  wonder  at  the  zeal  of  George. 

"  Why,  here,  father,  don't  you  see  these  ?" 
stooping  down,  and  passing  his  little  fingers 
over  the  letters  of  his  name  in  the  bed. 

"What,  George?" 

"Why,  my  name,  father,  here,  growing  in 
this  bed,  so  green  ;  how  came  this  so  ?" 


22  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

"  Is  it  anything  wonderful  ?"  asked  Mr. 
Washington. 

«  Why,  father,  I  never  heard  of  any  such 
thing  before  ;   did  you  ?  " 

"Why — George — well" — said  Mr.  Wash- 
ington, a  little  hesitating  at  the  unexpected 
question  ;   "  it  is  certainly  curious." 

"  But,  father,  how  came  it  here  V 

"  May  be,  by  chance,  George." 

"  No,  no,  father,  it  could  not  have  come  by 
chance  ;   I  never  heard  of  such  a  thing." 

"Well,  and  why  may  it  not  have  come  by 
chance  ?" 

"  I  don't  know,  father  ;  but  I  don't  believe 
it  did." 

"  We  don't  believe  many  things,  George, 
which  nevertheless  are  true." 

"  Yes,  yes,  father  ;  but  I  never  saiv  any 
thing  like  it  before." 

"  That  may  be,  and  yet  it  may  have  come 
by  chance." 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  23 


"  Well,  I  never  heard  of  any  such  thing 

"  True,  and  yet  might  it  not  happen,  al- 
though you  never  heard  of  it  V* 

"  Ah  !  but,  father,  how  should  little  plants 
grow  up  just  so  as  to  make  the  letters  of  my 
name — all  the  letters — all  in  exact  order  ? 
Why  was  it  not  your  name  ?  Ah !  father, 
why  was  it  any  one's  name  V 

"  It  is  rather  ivonderful,"  said  Mr.  Wash- 
ington. 

"  Ah!  father,  I  guess" — said  George,  look- 
ing up  rather  inquisitively — 

'•Well,  and  what  do  you  guess,  my  son  ?" 

"Why,  I  guess  somebody  did  this;  yes, 
I  've  just  thought ;  somebody  sowed  the  seed 
so  as  to  make  my  name.  I  guess  you  did  it, 
father;  didn't  you  ?'" 

"  Well,  George,  for  once  you  are  quite 
right  in  your  guessing  ;  I  did  do  it." 

"What  for,  father?" 


24  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

4 'What  for?  why,  does  it  not  look  beautiful  ?" 

"Yes;  but  you  had  some  design,  father. 
What  did  you  mean  by  it  V 

"I  meant,  George,"  replied  Mr.  Washing- 
ton, "  by  means  of  it  to  teach  you  an  important 
lesson." 

"What,  father?  to  plant  seeds  ?" 

( '  More  important  than  that.  I  wish  to  prove 
to  you  that  there  is  a  great  God." 

"  Why,  I  believe  that  now,  father.  Mother 
has  often  told  me  all  about  that." 

"Well,  but,  George,  how  do  you  knoiv  that 
there  is  a  God?" 

"Because  mother  says  there  is." 

"But  what  I  mean,  my  son,  is,  how  you 
would  prove  that  there  is  a  God?" 

"I  never  studied  that,  father,  and  I  don't 
know." 

"Well,  that  is  the  very  point  which  I  wish 
you  to  know.     Attend  and  I  will  explain. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  25 

"A  short  time  since,  and  you  discovered 
these  letters  in  this  bed ;  they  appeared  won- 
derful; you  called  me;  you  wished  to  know 
how  they  came  here;  I  told  you  they  might 
have  come  by  chance;  this  did  not  satisfy 
you ;  can  you  tell  why  V 

"Because,  it  seemed  as  if  somebody  must 
have  sowed  the  seed  here  just  so,"  said  George. 

"  True,  it  does  appear  so ;  and  now  can  you 
tell,  my  son,  ichy  it  appears  so  V9 

"Because,"  said  George,  "I  think  some- 
body had  a  design  in  it ;  and  you  told  me  that 
you  had  some  design  in  it,  father." 

"  Just  so,  George.  I  had  a  design  in  it ;  and 
the  marks  of  design  prove  that  the  plants  did 
not  grow  thus  by  chance,  but  that  some  agent, 
or  being,  was  concerned  in  them ;  is  it  not  so?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"Now,  then,  George,  look  around;  you  see 
this  beautiful  world ;  you  see  how  nicely  all 


26  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

things  are  contrived;  what  marks  of  design 

there  are.     We  have  fire  to  warm  us  when  we 

are  cold ;  water  to  drink  when  we  are  thirsty ; 

teeth  to  eat  with ;   eyes  to  see  with ;  feet  to 

walk  with ;  in  a  thousand  things  we  see  design. 

There  must,  then,  have  been  a  designer — some 

one  who  formed  these  things  for  a  purpose — 

for  some  end." 

"Ah!"  said  George,  "I  know  whom  you 

mean,  father." 

"  Whom,  my  son  ?" 

"  God  Almighty.     Do  you  not?" 

"  Yes,  I  mean  Him.    It  was  he  that  created 

all  the  beautiful  and  convenient  things  which 

you  see  around  you," 

"  Father,  did  you  ever  see  God  ?" 

"  No,  my  child ;  no  man  ever  saw  Him." 

"  But  if  no  one  ever  saw  him,  how  is  it 

known  that  he  made  all  things  ?" 

"  And  did  you  see  me,  when  I  prepared  this 

bed  and  sowed  this  seed?" 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  27 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Yet  you  believe  that  some  one  prepared 
and  sowed  it,  because  you  see  the  marks  of 
design  about  the  arrangement  of  the  plants. 
Just  so  we  may  infer  that  some  one  made  this 
beautiful  world  which  we  see,  because  we 
perceive  such  marks  of  design  about  it;  and 
we  call  that  Being  God. 

"  God,  then,  is  Lord  and  owner  of  all  things, 
and  should  be  acknowledged  and  worshipped 
as  such." 

"  But,  father,  isn't  this  garden  yours  ?  and 
that  house,  and  all  things  round  us  here?" 

"  No,  my  son,"  replied  Mr.  Washington, 
"they  are  not  mine.  True,  I  call  them  mine, 
and  they  are  mine  to  use,  rather  than  my  neigh- 
bors' ;  but  they  are  only  entrusted  to  my  care. 
All  things  belong  to  God.  He  created  them, 
and  they  are  his.  But  he  has  given  the  care 
3 


28  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

of  them  to  his  creatures  here,  and  will  one  day 
require  an  account  of  them/ ' 

"  But,  father,"  said  George,  "you  built  your 
house,  didn't  you  ;  and  is  it  not  yours,  then  ?" 

"  Yes,  George  ;  but  if  I  did  build  it,  did  I 
create  the  materials  of  it  ?  Who  made  the 
trees  from  which  the  timber,  the  boards,  the 
shingles  were  obtained  ?  Whence  did  the 
iron  come,  from  which  the  nails  were  made  ? 
God  formed  all.  And  it  was  he,  too,  who 
formed  the  oxen,  and  the  horses,  and  the  sheep, 
and  every  thing  which  you  see  on  the  farm/' 

George  now  became  silent,  and  appeared  for 
a  time  lost  in  the  reflections  of  his  own  mind. 
A  good  impression  had  been  made.  He  seemed 
to  feel  the  force  of  the  argument  which  his 
father  had  used  ;  and  from  this  time,  it  is  be- 
lieved, never  questioned  the  truth,  which  lies 
at  the  foundation  of  all  religion,  that  there  is 
a  God,  the  author  and  proprietor  of  all  things. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  29 


THE  FAVORITE  COLT. 

After  Washington  attained  to  manhood, 
he  was  remarkable  for  his  sobriety  ;  yet  his 
boyhood  was  not  without  some  instances  of 
folly  and  rashness. 

The  story  related  of  the  favorite  colt  will 
serve  as  an  illustration  of  this  latter  remark. 

At  the  time  the  occurrence  happened,  which 
I  am  about  to  relate,  George  might  have  been 
somewhat  past  ten  years  old.  At  all  adven- 
tures, his  father  was  dead,  and  upon  his  mother 
devolved  the  general  care  of  the  plantation. 

Among  other  things,  she  owned  a  colt ; 
which,  on  account  of  its  many  fine  points,  was 
quite  a  favorite.  It  was  old  enough  to  have 
been  broken  long  before ;  but  for  some  reason, 
not  now  well  understood,  it  had  been  neglect- 
ed, and  was  remarkably  wild. 

George  had  frequently  eyed  this  colt,  as  it 


30 


ANECDOTES   OF   WASHINGTON. 


pranced  round  the  field,  proudly  snuffing  up 
the  wind,  wheeling  and  halting,  and  displaying 
its  fine  proportions  ;  and  more  than  once  he 
wished  that  he  was  upon  its  back,  and  he 
would  curb  his  neck  for  him. 


One  day,  at  length,  he  told  his  wishes  to 
some  of  his  school  companions,  and  engaged 
them  to  meet  him  early  the  next  morning,  when, 
with  their  assistance,  he  would  have  a  ride. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  31 

Accordingly,  the  little  party  assembled  the 
following  day,  soon  after  sunrise,  and  repaired 
to  the  field,  where  the  young  Arabian  was  kept, 
at  no  great  distance  from  the  house.  With 
some  effort,  they  contrived  to  pen  him,  and 
with  still  more  effort  to  put  a  bridle  upon  him. 

"  There,  now  I  have  you,"  said  the  exulting 
George,  as  the  headstall  passed  over  the  ears  of 
the  terrified  beast.  "  Now  we  '11  take  an  airing 
together,  if  you  please.  Come,  boys,  hold  him." 

Several  took  hold  of  the  bridle,  while  the 
athletic  youngster,  with  a  single  leap,  vaulted 
upon  his  back. 

For  a  moment,  the  colt  stood  quite  still,  as 
if  petrified  with  astonishment  at  the  daring  of 
his  young  master.  It  was  plain,  however,  that 
the  spirit  of  his  unsubdued  nature  was  at 
work;  and  the  next  moment,  with  his  eyes 
almost  starting  from  their  sockets,  and  his  nos- 
trils wide  opened,  he  darted  from  his  position, 


32  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

leaping,  and  rearing,  and  whirling,  and  pitch- 
ing, and  bounding,  and  at  length  set  forward 
as  if  a  tornado  had  been  after  him. 

"  Hold  on  !  hold  on,  George!"  exclaimed 
one  of  his  companions,  so  terrified  at  the  un- 
expected result  of  their  enterprise,  that  he 
could  scarcely  stir — "  hold  on  !" 

"He'll  be  off,"  said  another. 

"  He'll  be  killed,"  said  a  third. 

"  Never  fear  for  George,"  said  a  more 
courageous  lad ;  "  don't  you  see  how  he  sticks 
to  him?" 

The  rider  did  indeed  keep  his  seat  surpris- 
ingly. But  the  struggle  between  them  was 
desperate.  Each  determined — the  one  to  sub- 
due his  charge — the  other  to  throw  his  rider. 
And  for  a  time  it  was  doubtful  on  which  side 
victory  would  settle ;  but  at  length  the  colt, 
exasperated  beyond  endurance,  made  a  furious 
plunge,  and  falling  headlong,  burst  a  blood- 
vessel, which  caused  its  death  in  an  instant. 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  33 

It  was  a  tremendous  fall ;  and  for  a  moment 
it  seemed  impossible  but  that  horse  and  rider 
should  have  shared  the  same  fate.  But  it  was 
not  so.     George  received  no  essential  injury. 

But  it  grieved  him  to  see  lying  before  him 
the  lifeless  body  of  the  spirited  animal,  whose 
death  he  was  now  sensible  had  been  occa- 
sioned by  his  censurable  folly  and  rashness. 
His  mother,  too  !  her  fondness  for  this  animal 
came  crowding  upon  him,  to  render  his  trouble 
still  more  distressing. 

Shortly  after,  a  call  to  breakfast  was  heard. 
Some  of  the  companions  of  George,  I  believe, 
had  been  invited  to  breakfast  with  him  that 
morning  ;  and  now,  however  much  they  could 
have  desired  to  have  been  excused,  they  went 
in,  and  were  soon  seated  at  the  table. 

For  a  time,  little  was  said — less  than  usual. 
Whether  Mrs.  Washington  remarked  this,  I 
cannot  say.     But,  at  length,  breaking  the  si- 


34  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

lence,  she  inquired  whether  they  had  seen  her 
fine  sorrel  colt  in  their  rambles. 

To  this  no  one  of  the  boys  replied,  and  the 
question  was  therefore  repeated. 

There  was  now  no  escape.  The  case  was 
to  be  met,  and  met  at  once.  The  integrity  of 
George  had  been  tried  in  still  younger  days ; 
and  now,  again  tried,  it  nobly  stood  the  test. 
He  replied  to  the  question  put  by  his  mother — 

"  Your  sorrel  colt  is  dead,  mother." 

"Dead,  George!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  W., 
with  a  good  deal  of  surprise — "  dead,  do  you 
say  ?"  her  hands  relaxing  from  some  service 
which  she  was  performing  at  the  table. 

"  Yes,  he  is  dead." 

"  How  happened  it,  George  V9 

"  I  will  tell  you,  mother.  I  am  the  only 
one  in  fault."  And  now  he  proceeded  to  give 
her  a  circumstantial  and  correct  account  of 
the  whole  transaction. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  35 

Before  the  story  was  ended,  the  flush,  which 
had  for  a  short  space  risen  upon  the  cheek  of 
Mrs.  W., — an  evidence  of  her  displeasure, — 
had  all  passed  away,  and  in  conclusion  she 
observed,  quite  kindly  and  calmly,  "  While  I 
regret  the  loss  of  my  favorite,  I  rejoice  in  my 
son,  who  always  speaks  the  truth." 


HIS  AFFECTION  FOR  HIS  MOTHER. 

That  a  mother  should  love  such  a  son  as 
George  proved  himself  to  be,  and  that  a  son 
should  love  such  a  mother,  as  Mrs.  Washing- 
ton certainly  was,  is  not  at  ail  surprising. 
From  his  earliest  days,  she  had  exerted  her 
whole  influence  to  embue  him  with  a  love  of 
"  whatever  was  lovely  and  of  good  report," 
and  her  exertions  had  not  been  in  vain.  How 
well  he  repaid  her  for  her  kind  care  may  be 
seen  in  the  following  story. 


36  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

When  about  fourteen  years  of  age,  he 
became  strongly  inclined  to  go  to  sea,  with  a 
view  of  enlisting  in  the  service  of  "  the  mother 
country/ '  at  that  time  engaged  in  a  war  with 
France  and  Spain. 

It  was  surprising  that  a  youth  so  young,  and 
who  had  been  abroad  so  little,  should  have  had 
the  moral  courage  to  quit  country  and  friends, 
on  a  purpose  so  full  of  danger.  But  so  it  was. 
He  was  resolved  to  go.  Preparation  had 
been  made.  A  midshipman's  berth  had  been 
procured  for  him  on  board  a  British  man-of- 
war,  then  lying  in  sight  of  his  mother's  house ; 
and  even  his  trunk  was  on  board. 

When  the  precise  time  arrived  that  he  was 
to  go,  he  passed  into  the  sitting-room  of  his 
mother,  to  take  his  leave  of  her.  She  was 
seated  and  in  tears. 

^He  approached  her,  and  putting  his  arms 
about  her  neck,  affectionately  kissed  her.     He 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 


37 


was  about  to  bid  her  "  farewell :"  but  he  hesi- 
tated. Her  affection  and  affliction  unmanned 
him.  He  was  young  and  ambitious ;  and  at 
that  early  day  the  spirit  of  patriotism,  which  so 


nobly  characterized  him  in  after  life  in  respect 
to  his  country,  was  stirring  within  him.  Yet, 
the  filial  feelings  of  his  heart  were  stronger  than 
any  other  ties ;  and  here,  nobly  sacrificing  his 


3S  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

pride  and  ambition,  he  relinquished  his  purpose, 
and  staid  to  comfort  her  who  gave  him  birth. 

It  was  a  noble  self-denial.  And  in  the  now 
more  than  forty  years,  that  the  writer  of  this 
has  been  upon  the  stage,  and  watched  the  course 
of  human  events,  he  can  bear  his  testimony  to 
the  uniform  prosperity  of  such  as  have  honored 
father  and  mother.  There  is  a  promise  re- 
corded in  favor  of  filial  piety,  ,and  a  God  who 
never  forgets  it,  and  never  fails  to  fulfil  it. 

But  my  story  is  unfinished.  The  boat 
which  was  conveying  officers  and  men  and 
baggage  from  the  shore  to  the  ship,  continued 
to  ply.  At  length,  she  returned  on  shore  for 
the  last  time.  A  signal  flag  was  hoisted  to 
denote  that  all  was  ready. 

George  was  standing,  viewing  the  move- 
ments. Several  of  his  companions  now  en- 
tered the  boat,  which  presently  was  urged 
towards  the  ship  by  several  lusty  oarsmen. 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  39 

As  they  approached  her,  the  signal  gun  for 
sailing  was  fired.  The  flash  followed  by  the  re- 
port were  noticed  by  George,  soon  after  which 
the  sails  rose  majestically  one  after  another. 

George  could  no  longer  bear  the  sight  with 
calmness,  but  turned  away,  and  entered  the 
room  where  his  mother  sat. 

She  observed  the  grief  which  sat  upon  his 
countenance;  upon  which  she  said,  "I  fear, 
my  son,  that  you  have  repented  your  determi- 
nation to  stay  at  home,  and  make  me  happy.' ' 

"  My  dear  mother,"  he  replied,  at  the  same 
time  placing  his  arms  about  her  neck,  and 
giving  vent  to  his  feelings  with  a  gush  of  tears, 
"  I  did  strongly  wish  to  go  ;  but  I  could  not 
endure  being  on  board  the  ship  and  know  that 
you  were  unhappy/ ' 

"Well,  my  dear  boy,"  said  Mrs.  W.,  return- 
ing his  embrace,  "I  deeply  feel  your  tender- 
ness towards  your  mother,  and  trust  that  God 
will  not  let  your  filial  affection  go  unrewarded." 


40  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

WASHINGTON'S  FIRST  PUBLIC  SERVICE. 

In  the  year  1753,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
Washington  was  first  called  upon  to  serve  his 
country  in  a  public  manner. 

At  this  time,  the  French  in  Canada  were 
erecting  forts  on  lands  to  the  west,  part  of 
which  belonged  to  Virginia.  The  governor  of 
Virginia  deemed  it  his  duty  to  forbid  the  en- 
croachment. Washington  was  selected  to 
carry  a  letter  to  the  French  commander  on  the 
Ohio. '  The  journey  was  above  four  hundred 
miles,  two  hundred  of  which  lay  through  a 
trackless  wilderness,  inhabited  by  Indians.  He 
left  Williamsburg  on  the  31st  of  October,  and 
delivered  his  letter  on  the  12th  of  December. 

Having  received  an  answer,  he  set  out  imme- 
diately on  his  return,  which  proved  a  very  dan- 
gerous and  toilsome  one.  The  following  is  his 
account  of  the  difficulties  which  he  encountered. 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  41 

"  As  I  was  uneasy  to  get  back  to  make  a  re- 
port of  my  proceeding  to  his  honor  the  governor, 
I  determined  to  prosecute  my  journey  the  near- 
est way,  through  the  woods,  on  foot.  I  took 
my  necessary  papers,  pulled  off  my  clothes,  and 
tied  myself  up  in  a  watch  coat.  Then,  with  a 
gun  in  hand,  and  a  pack  on  my  back,  in  which 
were  my  papers  and  provisions,  I  set  out  with 
Mr.  Gist,  fitted  in  the  same  manner.  We  fell 
in  with  a  party  of  Indians,  who  had  lain  in  wait 
for  us.  One  of  them  fired  not  fifteen  steps  off, 
but  fortunately  missed ;  we  walked  on  the  re- 
maining part  of  the  night  without  making  any 
stop,  that  we  might  get  the  start  so  far  as  to  be 
out  of  the  reach  of  their  pursuit  the  next  day,  as 
we  were  well  assured  that  they  would  follow 
our  track  as  soon  as  it  was  light.  The  next 
day,  we  continued  travelling  until  quite  dark, 
and  got  to  the  river.  We  expected  to  have 
found  the  river  frozen,  but  it  was  not  more  than 


42  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

fifty  yards  from  each  shore.  The  ice,  I  sup- 
pose, had  been  broken  up,  for  it  was  driving  in 
vast  quantities.  There  was  no  way  of  getting 
over  but  on  a  raft,  which  we  set  about  making, 
with  one  poor  hatchet,  and  finished  just  after 
sun-setting :  this  was  a  whole  day 's  work.  We 
got  it  launched,  then  went  on  board  of  it,  and 
set  off;  but  before  we  were  half  way  over,  we 
were  jammed  in  the  ice,  in  such  a  manner  that 
we  expected  every  moment  our  raft  to  sink  and 
ourselves  to  perish.  I  put  out  my  setting-pole 
to  endeavor  to  stop  the  raft,  that  the  ice  might 
pass  by,  when  the  rapidity  of  the  stream  threw 
it  with  so  much  violence  against  the  pole,  that 
it  jerked  me  out  into  ten  feet  water." 

In  this  dangerous  situation,  he  was  saved  by 
the  protecting  hand  of  God,  and  enabled  to  get 
on  the  raft  again ;  and  by  the  next  morning  the 
river  was  frozen  so  hard,  that  there  was  no  dif- 
ficulty in  getting  to  the  shore  on  the  ice.     The 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 


43 


remainder  of  the  journey  was  very  fatiguing, 
being  in  the  month  of  December,  and  for  fif- 
teen days  it  either  snowed  or  rained. 


He  arrived  on  the  16th  of  January  at  Wil- 
liamsburg, and  delivered  the  important  letter 
to  the  governor. 

4 


44  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 


THE  MANNER  OF  WASHINGTON'S  BECOMING  POSSESSED 
OF  MOUNT  VERNON. 

The  father  of  George  Washington  had  two 
wives.  By  his  first  wife  he  had  two  children, 
both  sons,  Lawrence  and  Augustine.  By  his 
second  wife  he  had  five  children,  four  sons  and 
a  daughter — George,  Samuel,  John,  Charles, 
and  Elizabeth.  George's  half  brother,  Law- 
rence, proving  successful  in  business,  acquired 
a  large  estate  on  the  Potomac,  called  Mount 
Vernon,  in  honor  of  old  Admiral  Vernon. 

At  length,  Lawrence  was  attacked  by  the 
consumption,  and  was  advised  by  his  physi- 
cians to  make  a  trip  to  Bermuda.  He  invited 
George  to  accompany  him.  This  invitation 
the  latter  accepted.  The  voyage  proved  of 
no  benefit  to  Lawrence,  who  died  not  long 
after  their  return  to  Virginia. 

On  opening  his  will,  it  was  found  that  he  had 


ANECDOTES    OF    "WASHINGTON.  45 

left  his  great  estate  to  his  brother  George,  in 
consideration  of  his  dutiful  and  affectionate  at- 
tentions to  him  during  the  voyage  to  Bermuda. 


WASHINGTON'S  BRAVERY  AT  BRADDOCK'S  DEFEAT. 

In  the  spring  of  1755,  the  British  general, 
Braddock,  was  sent  with  about  two  thousand 
men  to  reduce  Fort  Du  Quesne,  where  Pitts- 
burg now  stands,  then  in  possession  of  the 
French.  Washington,  at  this  time,  living  at 
Mount  Vernon,  was  invited  to  accompany  gen- 
eral Braddock,  as  a  volunteer  aid-de-camp. 

After  the  troops  had  marched  a  few  miles, 
Washington  was  seized  with  a  raging  fever ; 
but  refusing  to  remain  behind,  he  was  conveyed 
in  a  covered  wagon.  By  his  advice,  twelve 
hundred  men  were  detached,  in  order,  by  a 
rapid  movement,  to  reach  Fort  Du  Quesne 
before  an  expected  reinforcement  should  be 
received  at  that  place. 


46  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

These  disencumbered  troops  were  com- 
manded by  Braddock  himself ;  and  Col.  Wash- 
ington, though  still  extremely  ill,  insisted  upon 
proceeding  with  him.  After  they  arrived  upon 
the  Monongahela,  he  advised  the  general  to 
employ  the  ranging  companies  of  Virginia  to 
scour  the  woods,  and  to  prevent  any  surprise; 
but  his  advice  was  not  followed.  On  the  ninth 
of  July,  when  the  army  was  within  seven  miles 
of  Fort  Du  Quesne,  the  enemy  commenced  a 
sudden  and  furious  attack,  being  concealed  by 
a  wood  and  high  grass.  In  a  short  time,  Col. 
Washington  was  the  only  aid  that  was  un- 
wounded,  and  on  him  devolved  the  whole  duty 
of  carrying  the  orders  of  the  commander-in- 
chief.  He  was  cool  and  fearless.  Though  he 
had  two  horses  killed  under  him,  and  four  balls 
through  his  coat,  he  escaped  unhurt,  while  every 
other  officer  on  horseback  was  either  killed  or 
wounded.     Dr.  Craik,  the  physician  who  at- 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON.  47 

tended  him  in  his  last  sickness,  was  present  at 
this  battle,  and  says, "  I  expected  every  moment 
to  see  him  fall.  Nothing  but  the  superintend- 
ing care  of  Providence  could  have  saved  him 
from  the  fate  of  all  around  him." 


After  an  action  of  three  hours,  the  troops  gave 
way  in  all  directions,  and  Col.  Washington  and 
two  others  brought  ofFBraddock,  who  had  been 


48  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

mortally  wounded.  He  attempted  to  rally  the 
retreating  troops ;  but,  as  he  says  himself,  it 
was  like  attempting  to  stop  the  wild  bears  of 
the  mountains.  The  conduct  of  the  regular 
troops  was  most  cowardly.  The  enemy  were 
few  in  numbers,  and  had  no  expectation  of 
victory. 

The  preservation  of  Washington,  during  this 
battle,  was  almost  miraculous.  He  was  ex- 
posed more  than  any  other  officer,  and  was 
particularly  the  object  of  savage  attacks,  on 
account  of  his  superior  bravery.  After  the 
defeat,  a  famous  Indian  warrior,  who  acted  a 
distinguished  part  in  that  bloody  tragedy,  was 
heard  to  say,  that  Washington  was  never  born 
to  be  killed  by  a  bullet ;  "  for,"  said  he,  "  I 
had  seventeen  fair  fires  at  him,  with  my  rifle, 
and  after  all  could  not  bring  him  to  the 
ground:'* 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON.  49 

THE  INDIAN  PROPHECY. 

In  the  year  1772,  Col.  Washington,  ac- 
companied by  Dr.  Craik  and  a  considerable 
party  of  hunters,  woodsmen  and  others,  pro- 
ceeded to  the  Kanhawa,  with  a  view  to  explore 
the  country,  and  make  surveys  of  extensive 
and  valuable  tracts  of  land.  At  that  time,  the 
Kanhawa  was  several  hundred  miles  remote 
from  the  frontier  settlements,  and  only  acces- 
sible by  Indian  paths,  which  wound  through 
the  passes  of  the  mountains. 

One  day,  when  resting  in  the  camp  from  the 
fatigues  attendant  on  so  arduous  an  enterprise, 
a  party  of  Indians  were  discovered  approaching, 
led  by  a  trader.  They  halted  at  a  short  dis- 
tance, and  the  interpreter,  advancing,  declared 
that  he  was  conducting  a  party,  which  consisted 
of  a  grand  sachem  and  some  attendant  warriors; 
that  the  chief  was  a  very  great  man  among  the 


50  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

northwestern  tribes,  and  the  same  who  com- 
manded the  Indians  on  the  fall  of  Braddock, 
sixteen  years  before  ;  that  hearing  of  the  visit 
of  Col.  Washington  to  the  western  country, 
this  chief  had  set  out  on  a  mission,  the  object 
of  which  himself  would  make  known. 

The  colonel  received  the  ambassador  with 
courtesy,  and  having  put  matters  in  the  camp  in 
the  best  possible  order,  for  the  reception  of  such 
distinguished  visiters,  which  so  short  a  notice 
would  allow,  the  strangers  were  introduced. 
Among  the  colonists  were  some  fine,  tall,  and 
manly  figures,  but  as  soon  as  the  sachem  ap- 
proached, he  in  a  moment  pointed  out  the  hero 
of  the  Monongahela  from  amid  the  group,  al- 
though sixteen  years  had  elapsed  since  he  had 
seen  him,  and  then  only  in  the  tumult  and  fury 
of  the  battle.  The  Indian  was  of  a  lofty  stature, 
and  of  a  dignified  and  imposing  appearance. 

The  usual  salutations  were  going  round, 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  51 

when  it  was  observed  that  the  grand  chief, 
although  perfectly  familiar  with  every  other 
person  present,  preserved  towards  Col.  Wash- 
ington the  most  reverential  deference.  It  was 
in  vain  that  the  colonel  extended  his  hand  ;  the 
Indian  drew  back  with  the  most  impressive 
marks  of  awe  and  respect. 

A  last  effort  was  made  to  induce  an  inter- 
course, by  resorting  to  the  deity  of  the  savages 
; — ardent  spirit — which  the  colonel  having 
tasted,  offered  to  his  guest.  The  Indian 
bowed  his  head  in  submission,  but  wetted  not 
his  lips.  Tobacco,  for  the  use  of  which 
Washington  always  had  the  utmost  abhor- 
rence, was  next  tried,  the  colonel  taking  a 
single  puff,  to  the  great  annoyance  of  his  feel- 
ings, and  then  offering  the  calumet  to  the  chief, 
who  touched  not  the  symbol  of  savage  friend- 
ship. The  banquet  being  now  ready,  the 
colonel  did  the  honors  of  the  feast,  and  placing 


52 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 


the  great  man  at  his  side,  helped  him  plentifully . 
But  the  Indian  fed  not  at  the  board.  Amaze- 
ment now  possessed  the  company,  and  an  in- 
tense interest  became  apparent,  as  to  the  issue 
of  so  extraordinary  an  adventure. 

The  council  fire  was  kindled,  when  the  grand 


sachem  addressed  our  Washington  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect : — 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  53 

"  I  am  a  chief,  and  the  ruler  over  many  tribes. 
My  influence  extends  to  the  waters  of  the  great 
lakes,  and  to  the  far  blue  mountains.  I  have 
travelled  a  long  and  a  weary  path,  that  I  might 
see  the  young  warrior  of  the  great  battle.  It 
was  on  the  day  that  the  white  man's  blood  mix- 
ed with  the  streams  of  our  forest,  that  I  first 
beheld  this  chief.  I  called  to  my  young  men, 
and  said, '  Mark  yon  tall  and  daring  warrior ;  he 
is  not  of  the  red-coat  tribe ;  he  hath  an  Indian's 
wisdom,  and  his  warriors  fight  as  we  do ;  him- 
self alone  is  exposed.  Quick,  let  your  aim  be 
certain,  and  he  dies.'  Our  rifles  were  levelled 
— rifles  which  but  for  him  knew  not  how  to 
miss.  'T  was  all  in  vain ;  a  power  mightier  far 
than  we  shielded  him  from  harm.  He  cannot 
die  in  battle.  I  am  old,  and  soon  shall  be  gath 
ered  to  the  great  council  fire  of  my  fathers,  in 
the  land  of  shades  ;  but  ere  I  go,  there  is  a 
something  bids  me  speak  in  the  voice  of  proph- 


54  ANECDOTES    OF    "WASHINGTON. 

ecy.  Listen !  The  Great  Spirit  protects  that 
man,  and  guides  his  destinies.  He  will  become 
the  chief  of  nations,  and  a  people  yet  unborn 
hail  him  as  the  founder  of  a  mighty  empire.' ' 
The  savage  ceased ; — his  oracle  delivered, 
his  prophetic  mission  fulfilled,  he  retired  to 
muse  in  silence  upon  that  wonder-working 
spirit,  which  his  dark 

K  untutored  mind 
Saw  oft  in  clouds,  and  heard  him  in  the  wind." 

Night  coming  on,  the  children  of  the  forest 
spread  their  blankets,  and  were  soon  buried  in 
sleep.  At  early  dawn,  they  bid  adieu  to  the 
camp,  and  were  seen  slowly  winding  their  way 
towards  the  distant  haunts  of  their  tribe. 

This  prophecy  seems  to  have  made  a  deep 
impression  on  the  mind  of  Dr.  Craik,  who 
frequently  mentioned  it  during  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  especially  after  any  perilous  action, 
in  which  his  friend  and  commander  had  been 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 


peculiarly  exposed.  Whether  it  had  any  in- 
fluence upon  the  conduct  of  Washington,  is 
unknown.  Certain  it  is,  however,  that  he 
never  took  any  pains  to  avoid  danger,  by  step- 
ping aside  from  the  path  of  duty. 

The  night  before  the  battle  of  Monmouth, 
several  officers  had  assembled,  at  a  certain 
place,  and  among  them  was  Dr.  Craik.  The 
discourse  turned  upon  the  probable  issue  of  the 
succeeding  day.  It  was  agreed  on  all  sides 
that  it  would  be  a  day  of  blood.  Much  anxiety 
was  expressed  about  the  safety  of  Washing- 
ton, and  the  propriety  was  suggested  of  a 
petition  to  Washington,  not  unnecessarily  to 
expose  his  person,  as  his  life  was  eminently 
important  to  the  liberties  of  his  country. 

Craik  told  the  officers  that  such  a  petition 
would  answer  no  purpose,  since  Washington 
would  never  be  turned  aside  from  any  duty 
which  he  owed  to  his  country.     He  then  re- 


56  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

minded  them  of  the  old  Indian  prophecy,  about 
which  he  had  frequently  told  them,  adding, 
' '  Never  mind  the  enemy ;  they  cannot  kill  him . ' ' 
On  the  following  day,  the  expected  battle 
occurred,  and  a  most  bloody  conflict  it  proved. 
Washington,  having  given  his  orders  to  Fayette, 
was  personally  engaged  in  forming  the  line  of 
the  main  body,  near  the  court-house.  While 
speaking  to  Col.  Hartley,  of  the  Pennsylvania 
line,  a  cannon  ball  struck  just  at  his  horse's 
feet,  throwing  the  dirt  in  his  face,  and  over  his 
clothes.  The  general  continued  giving  his  or- 
ders, without  noticing  the  derangement  of  his 
toilette.  The  officers  present,  several  of  whom 
were  of  the  party  the  preceding  evening,  looked 
at  each  other  with  anxiety.  The  chief  of  the 
medical  staff,  Dr.  Craik,  pleased  with  the  proof 
of  his  prediction,  and  in  reminiscence  of  what 
had  passed  the  evening  before,  pointed  towards 
heaven,  which  was  noticed  by  the  others,  with 
a  gratifying  smile  of  acknowledgment. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  57 


WASHINGTON'S  KINDNESS  TO  THE  POOR. 

For  the  benefit  of  his  health,  Washington 
sometimes  visited  a  public  spring,  in  his  native 
state,  to  which  sick  persons  went,  with  the  hope 
of  being  relieved  by  using  the  waters.  At  the 
season  when  there  were  many  persons  there,  it 
was  the  custom  of  a  baker  to  furnish  a  particular 
kind  of  bread,  for  those  who  could  afford  to  pay 
a  good  price  for  it.  One  day  it  was  observed 
by  a  visiter,  that  several  miserably  poor  sick 
persons  tottered  into  the  room  where  the  bread 
was  kept,  and  looked  at  the  baker,  who  nodded 
his  head,  and  each  took  up  a  loaf,  and  with  a 
cheered  countenance  walked  feebly  away. 

The  visiter  praised  the  baker  for  his  chari- 
table conduct,  in  letting  those  have  his  bread 
whom  he  knew  could  never  pay  him  ;  but  he 
honestly  answered:  "I  lose  nothing;  colonel 
Washington  is  here,  and  all  the  sick  poor  may 


58  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

have  as  much  of  my  bread  as  they  can  eat ;  he 
pays  the  bill,  and  I  assure  you  it  is  no  small 
one." 


WASHINGTON  AND  AN  OLD  ENGLISH  SOLDIER. 

On  his  farm,  Washington  had  a  comfort- 
able house  built  for  an  old  English  soldier, 
who  had  been  an  attendant  of  general  Brad- 
dock,  at  the  time  of  his  defeat ;  after  his  death, 
he  entered  into  the  service  of  Washington, 
and  continued  in  it  until  the  close  of  the  pro- 
vincial war.  He  then  married,  and  a  home 
was  provided  for  him  at  Mount  Vernon. 

He  was  too  old  to  follow  his  revered  com- 
mander in  the  struggle  for  independence ;  and 
was  left  at  home  to  enjoy  the  comforts  which 
old  age  requires.  Children  loved  to  visit  the 
old  soldier,  and  listen  to  his  tales  of  the  Indian 
war,  which  he  delighted  in  telling.     When 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  59 

Washington  was  passing  round  his  farm,  he 
often  stopped  to  gladden  the  heart  of  the  gray- 
headed  veteran  with  kind  words ;  and  he  lived 
to  enjoy  the  comforts  which  had  been  provided 
for  him,  until  he  was  eighty  years  of  age. 


WASHINGTON  IN  DANGER. 

Be  fore  our  army  evacuated  New  York,  gen- 
eral Howe's  army  landed  under  cover  of  five 
ships  of  war.  So  soon  as  this  was  announced 
to  our  commander-in-chief,  by  a  heavy  cannon- 
ade from  the  men-of-war,  he  instantly  rode 
towards  our  lines  ;  but  he  was  astonished  and 
mortified  to  find  that  the  troops  which  had  been 
posted  there,  and  also  two  brigades  which  had 
been  ordered  to  support  them,  were  retreating 
in  great  confusion  and  disorder.  He  made 
every  effort  to  rally  them,  but  without  success  ; 
they  were  so  panic-struck,  that  even  the  shadow 
5 


60  ANECDOTES    OF  TVASHINGTON.- 

of  an  enemy  seemed  to  increase  their  precipitate 
flight.  His  excellency,  distressed  and  enraged, 
drew  his  sword  and  snapped  his  pistols,  to 
check  them  ;  but  they  continued  their  flight 
without  firing  a  gun ;  and  the  general,  regard- 
less of  his  own  safety,  was  in  so  much  hazard, 
that  one  of  his  attendants  seized  the  reins,  and 
gave  his  horse  a  different  direction. 


COURAGE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

During  the  assault,  the  British  kept  up  an 
incessant  firing  of  cannon  and  musquetry  from 
their  whole  line.  General  Washington  and 
generals  Knox  and  Lincoln,  with  their  aids, 
having  dismounted,  were  standing  in  an  ex- 
posed situation,  waiting  the  result.  Colonel 
Cobb,  one  of  general  Washington's  aids, 
solicitous  for  his  safety,  said  to  his  excellency, 
"  Sir,  you  are  too  much  exposed  here.     Had 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 


61 


you  not  better  step  a  little  back?  "  "  Colonel 
Cobb/'  replied  the  commander-in-chief,  "if 
you  are  afraid,  you  have  liberty  to  move  back." 


CALMNESS  OF  WASHINGTON. 

While  Mr.  Evans,  on  ae  chaplains  of 


the  army,  was  standing  n« 
shot  struck  the  ground 


is  excellency,  a 
as  to  cover  his 


62  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

hat  with  sand.  Much  agitated,  he  took  off  his 
hat,  and  said,  "See  here,  general. "  "  Mr. 
Evans,"  replied  Washington,  with  his  usual 
composure,  "  you  had  better  carry  that  home, 
and  show  it  to  your  ivife  and  children." 


LIBERALITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

While  the  American  army,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Washington,  lay  encamped  in  the 
environs  of  Morristown,  N.  J.,  it  occurred 
that  the  service  of  the  communion  (there  ob- 
served semi-annually  only)  was  to  be  adminis- 
tered in  the  Presbyterian  church  of  that  village. 
In  a  morning  of  the  previous  week,  the  general, 
after  his  accustomed  inspection  of  the  camp, 
visited  the  hous  he  Rev.  Dr.  Jones,  then 

pastor  of  that  ch         ,  and  after  the  usual  pre- 
liminaries, thus  ed  him  : — 


ANECDOTES  OF  WASHINGTON.  63 

"  Doctor,  I  understand  that  the  Lord's  sup- 
per is  to  be  celebrated  with  you  next  Sunday ; 
I  would  learn  if  it  accords  with  the  canons  of 
your  church  to  admit  communicants  of  another 
denomination?  " 

The  doctor  rejoined,  "  Most  certainly ;  ours 
is  not  the  Presbyterian  table,  general,  but  the 
Lord's  table ;  and  we  hence  give  the  Lord's 
invitation  to  all  his  followers,  of  whatever 
name." 

The  general  replied,  "  I  am  glad  of  it ;  that 
is  as  it  ought  to  be ;  but  as  I  was  not  quite 
sure  of  the  fact,  I  thought  I  would  ascertain 
it  from  yourself,  as  I  propose  to  join  with  you 
on  that  occasion.  Though  a  member  of  the 
Church  of  England,  I  have  no  exclusive 
partialities." 

The  doctor  re-assured  him  of  a  cordial  wel- 
come, and  the  general  was  found  seated  with 
the  communicants  the  next  Sabbath. 


64  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

MIRACULOUS  ESCAPE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Major  Ferguson,  who  commanded  a  rifle 
corps,  a  day  or  two  previous  to  the  battle  of 
Brandywine,  was  the  hero  of  a  ver\  singular 
accident,  which  he  thus  describes  in  a  letter 
to  a  friend.  It  illustrates  in  a  most  forcible 
manner  the  overruling  hand  of  Providence  in 
directing  the  operations  of  a  man's  mind,  in 
moments  when  he  is  least  aware  of  it. 

"  We  had  not  lain  long,  when  a  rebel  officer, 
remarkable  by  a  hussar  dress,  pressed  toward 
our  army,  within  a  hundred  yards  of  my  right 
flank,  not  perceiving  us.  He  was  followed  by 
another,  dressed  in  dark  green  and  blue,  mount- 
ed on  a  bay  horse,  with  a  remarkably  high 
cocked  hat.  I  ordered  three  good  shots  to 
steal  near,  and  fire  at  them ;  but  the  idea  dis- 
gusting me,  I  recalled  the  order.  The  hussar, 
in  returning,  made  a  circuit,  but  he  passed  with- 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  65 

in  a  hundred  yards  of  us  ;  upon  which  I  ad- 
vanced from  the  woods  towards  him.  Upon 
my  calling,  he  stopped  ;  but,  after  looking  at 
me,  proceeded.  I  again  drew  his  attention,  and 
made  signs  to  him  to  stop,  levelling  my  piece 
at  him  ;  but  he  slowly  cantered  away.  By 
quick  firing,  I  could  have  lodged  half  a  dozen 
balls  in  or  about  him,  before  he  was  out  of  my 
reach.  I  had  only  to  determine  ;  but  it  was 
not  pleasant  to  fire  at  the  back  of  an  unoffend- 
ing individual,  who  was  very  coolly  acquitting 
himself  of  his  duty ;   so  I  let  it  alone. 

"  The  next  day,  the  surgeon  told  me  that  the 
wounded  rebel  officers  informed  him  that  gen- 
eral Washington  was  all  the  morning  with  the 
light  troops,  and  only  attended  by  a  French 
officer  in  the  hussar  dress,  he  himself  dressed 
and  mounted  as  I  have  before  described.  I 
am  not  sorry  that  I  did  not  know  who  it  was 
at  the  time." 


66  ANECEOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

STRENGTH  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Several  instances  are  recorded  in  which 
Washington  put  forth  his  muscular  strength, 
which  is  said  to  have  been  remarkable.  On 
one  occasion,  he  threw  a  stone,  or  a  piece  of 
slate  fashioned  to  about  the  size  and  shape  of 
a  dollar,  across  the  Rappahannock  river,  below 
Fredericksburg.  The  slate  is  said  to  have 
fallen  at  least  thirty  yards  beyond  the  bank. 
Numbers  have  since  tried  this  feat,  but  none 
have  cleared  the  water. 

Another  instance  is  recorded  which  occurred 
in  the  year  1780.  A  command  of  about  five 
hundred  men  had  been  detached  from  the  main 
army  to  a  post  on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson, 
above  fort  Lee,  at  what  is  now  called,  we  be- 
lieve, "  The  Palisadoes."  Soon  after,  general 
Washington,  accompanied  by  his  staff,  visited 
the  command.     After  the  usual  parade  and  sa- 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  67 

lute,  the  troops  stacked  arms ;  and  several  of 
the  officers  and  men  amused  themselves  with 
efforts  to  cast  stones  from  the  high  bluff,  (which 
to  the  eye  appeared  almost  perpendicular,)  into 
the  river;  but  no  one  was  able  to  effect  it. 
Washington  sitting  on  his  charger,  and  witness- 
ing the  sport,  smiled  at  the  ineffectual  attempts, 
dismounted,  gave  his  sword  to  his  servant, 
searched  for  a  stone,  and  finding  one  to  his 
liking,  took  two  or  three  quick  steps,  and  giv- 
ing it  what  is  called  in  Virginia  the  "  Douglas 
cast,"  or  what  we  Yankees  call  a  jeiyh,  it 
seemed  to  take  wings,  and  scaling  a  conside- 
rable distance  almost  horizontally,  struck  the 
water  at  least  a  rod  from  the  shore.  All  the 
troops  witnessed  the  feat,  and  gave  three 
spontaneous  cheers,  when  the  general,  without 
the  least  appearance  of  having  made  an  exer- 
tion, remounted  and  returned  to  the  camp. 
It  is  next  to  impossible  to  describe  the  sensa- 


68  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

tions  felt  by  the  spectators  of  this  feat  of 
muscular  strength,  however  trivial,  executed 
by  the  idol  of  the  army. 


STATURE  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Gen.  Washington  in  the  prime  of  life 
stood  six  feet  two  inches,  and  measured  pre- 
cisely six  feet  when  attired  for  the  grave. 
From  the  period  of  the  revolution  there  was 
an  evident  bending  in  that  frame,  so  passing 
straight  before ;  but  the  stoop  is  attributable 
to  the  cares  and  toils  of  that  arduous  contest, 
rather  than  to  age ;  for  his  step  was  firm,  and 
his  carriage  noble  and  commanding,  long  after 
the  time  when  the  physical  properties  of  man 
are  supposed  to  be  in  the  wane. 

To  a  majestic  height  was  added  correspond- 
ing breadth  and  firmness ;  and  his  whole  person 
was  so  cast  in  nature's  finest  mould,  as  to  re- 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  69 

semble  the  classic  remains  of  ancient  statuary, 
where  all  the  parts  contribute  to  the  purity 
and  perfection  of  the  whole. 

His  habit  might  be  deemed  rather  spare  than 
full ;  his  weight  never  exceeding  from  two  hun- 
dred and  ten  to  twenty.  His  limbs  were  re- 
markable. His  arms  were  long,  large,  and 
sinewy. 

Bred  in  the  vigorous  school  of  the  frontier 
warfare,  "the  earth  his  bed,  his  canopy  the 
heavens/ '  he  excelled  the  hunter  and  the 
woodsmen  in  their  athletic  habits,  and  in  those 
trials  of  manhood  which  distinguished  the 
hardy  days  of  his  early  life ;  he  was%mazingly 
swift  of  foot,  and  could  climb  the  mountain 
steep,  and  "not  a  sob  his  toil  confess. " 


WASHINGTON'S  RETALIATION. 

It  is  now  settled  as  a  fact  beyond  dispute, 
that  general  Gates  was  connected  with  general 


70  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

Lee  in  a  wicked  plan  to  supersede  the  illustri- 
ous Washington.  The  commander-in-chief 
was  well  aware  of  the  means  they  used  to 
deprive  him  of  the  affections  of  the  army,  and 
the  confidence  of  the  people.  How  he  sought 
revenge  is  shown  in  the  following  anecdote. 

"  I  found  general  Gates  traversing  the  apart- 
ment, under  the  influence  of  high  excitement. 
His  agitation  was  excessive — every  feature  of 
his  countenance,  every  gesture  betrayed  it.  He 
had  been  charged  with  unskilful  management  at 
the  battle  of  Camden,  and  he  had  just  received 
official  despatches,  informing  him  that  the  com- 
mand was  transferred  to  general  Green.  His 
countenance  betrayed  no  resentment,  however ; 
it  was  sensibility  alone  which  caused  his  emo- 
tion. He  held  an  open  letter  in  his  hand,  which 
he  often  raised  to  his  lips,  and  kissed  with  devo- 
tion, while  he  repeatedly  exclaimed — e  Great 
man!     Noble,  generous  procedure! ' 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  71 

"When  the  tumult  of  his  mind  had  a  little 
subsided,  with  strong  expressions  of  feeling,  he 
said,  '  I  have  this  day  received  a  communica- 
tion from  the  commander-in-chief,  which  has 
conveyed  more  consolation  to  my  bosom,  more 
ineffable  delight  to  my  heart,  than  I  believed  it 
possible  for  it  ever  to  have  felt  again.  With 
affectionate  tenderness,  he  sympathizes  with 
me  in  my  domestic  misfortunes,  and  condoles 
with  me  in  the  loss  I  have  sustained  in  the 
recent  death  of  my  only  son  ;  and  then,  with 
peculiar  delicacy  lamenting  my  misfortune  in 
battle,  assures  me  that  his  confidence  in  my 
zeal  and  capacity  is  so  little  impaired,  that  the 
command  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army  will 
be  bestowed  on  me,  as  soon  as  I  can  make  it 
convenient  to  join  him/  " 


72  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

MOUNT  VERNON. 

Mr.  Lund  Washington,  a  relation  of  the 
general's,  and  who  managed  all  his  affairs 
during  his  five  years'  absence  with  the  army, 
informed  me  that  an  English  frigate  having 
come  up  the  Potomac,  a  party  was  landed,  who 
set  fire  to,  and  destroyed  some  gentlemen's 
houses  on  the  Maryland  side,  in  sight  of  Mount 
Vernon,  the  general's  house ;  after  which  the 
captain,  (I  think  captain  Graves,  of  the  Acteon,) 
sent  a  boat  on  shore  to  the  general's,  demanding 
a  large  supply  of  provisions,  &c,  with  a  menace 
of  burning  it  likewise,  in  case  of  a  refusal.  To 
this  message  Mr.  Lund  Washington  replied, 
"that  when  the  general  engaged  in  the  contest, 
he  had  put  all  to  stake,  and  was  well  aware  of 
the  exposed  situation  of  his  house  and  property ; 
in  consequence  of  which  he  had  given  him  or- 
ders by  no  means  to  comply  with  any  demands, 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  73 

for  that  he  would  make  no  unworthy  compro- 
mise with  the  enemy,  and  was  ready  to  meet 
the  fate  of  his  neighbors." 

The  captain  was  highly  incensed  on  receiv- 
ing this  answer,  and  removed  his  frigate  to  the 
Virginia  shore ;  but  before  he  commenced  his 
operations,  he  sent  another  message  to  the 
same  purport,  offering  likewise  a  passport  to 
Mr.  Washington  to  come  on  board.  He  re- 
turned accordingly  in  the  boat,  carrying  with 
him  a  small  present  of  poultry,  of  which  he 
begged  the  captain's  acceptance. 

His  presence  produced  the  best  effect.  He 
;  was  hospitably  received,  notwithstanding  that 
he  repeated  the  same  sentiments  with  firmness. 
The  captain  expressed  his  personal  respect  for 
the  character  of  the  general,  commending  the 
conduct  of  Mr.  Lund  Washington,  and  assured 
him  nothing  but  his  having  misconceived  the 
terms  of  the  first  answer  could  have  induced 


74  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  .    , 

him,  for  a  moment,  to  entertain  the  smallest 
idea  of  taking  any  measure  offensive  to  so 
illustrious  a  character  as  the  general ;  explain- 
ing at  the  same  time  the  real  or  supposed 
provocations,  which  had  compelled  his  severity 
on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

Mr.  Washington,  after  spending  some  time 
in  perfect  harmony  on  board,  returned,  and  in- 
stantly despatched  sheep,  hogs,  and  an  abun- 
dant supply  of  other  articles  of  provision,  as 
a  present  to  the  English  frigate. 

When  the  news  of  what  had  been  done 
reached  Gen.  Washington,  who  was  with  the 
army,  he  was  much  displeased,  and  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  his  manager. 

"  Sir — It  gives  me  extreme  concern  to  hear 
that  you  furnished  the  enemy  with  refreshments. 
It  would  have  been  a  less  painful  circumstance 
to  me  to  have  heard,  that,  in  consequence  of 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  75 

your  noncompliance  with  their  request,  they 
had  laid  my  plantation  in  ruins. 

George  Washington." 
This  was  noble  !  Washington  was  a  true 
patriot;  and  as  a  patriot,  he  fought  for  his 
country.  He  was  also  fond  of  consistency. 
He  would  not  fight  an  enemy  with  one  hand, 
and  support  him  with  another.  Nor  would  he 
aid  his  country  abroad,  and  help  ruin  her  at 
home.  His  motto  was,  "My  country — my 
whole  country — and  nothing  but  my  country." 


A  WONDERFUL  DELIVERANCE. 

General  Washington  was  as  much  dis- 
tinguished for  his  sagacity  as  his  bravery.  He 
was  seldom  surprised — seldom  ensnared.  The 
British,  in  one  way  and  another,  often  medi- 
tated his  ruin;  but,  by  some  means,  he  was 
as  often  providentially  delivered. 
6 


76  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

At  one  time,  while  the  American  army  was 
at  West  Point,  Washington  was  in  singular 
danger,  but  was  wonderfully  preserved.  Not 
far  distant,  the  general  had  an  intimate  ac- 
quaintance, in  whose  family  he  enjoyed  the 
kindest  hospitality,  as  well  as  relief  from  many 
of  those  sterner  engagements,  which  harassed 
his  weary  mind.  As  every  circumstance  was 
food  to  either  army,  a  visit  like  this,  not  many 
miles  from  their  camp,  could  not  long  escape 
the  cognizance  of  the  English ;  and  to  possess 
a  prisoner  like  general  Washington,  would 
tend,  in  their  opinion,  to  shorten  the  period  of 
the  war.  But  the  undertaking  was  difficult : 
there  were  always  advanced  guards  to  cover 
the  American  commander,  and  there  was  no 
mode  of  discovering  his  visits,  except  by  win- 
ning over  some  of  the  family. 

The  friend  whom  the  general  visited  was 
once  thought  to  have  espoused  the  interests  of 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  77 

the  British  ;  but  he  had  taken  a  decided  stand 
in  favor  of  America ;  and,  though  a  brave  man, 
he  professed  the  strictest  neutrality,  alleging 
as  his  reason  his  years  and  dependent  family. 

During  the  intimacy  of  the  general,  it  was 
rumored  in  the  American  army  that  his  friend 
had  been  seen  often  returning  from  the  British 
camp.  Washington  seemed  to  disregard  the 
account ;  for  he  never  ceased  to  visit  the  family, 
and  apparently  mingled  as  cordially  with  the 
host  as  if  no  suspicion  had  crossed  his  mind. 

At  length,  one  day,  as  the  general  was  taking 
his  leave,  his  friend  earnestly  requested  him  to 
dine  with  him  the  following  afternoon,  emphati- 
cally naming  the  hour  of  two  as  the  moment 
of  expecting  him.  He  reminded  him  of  the 
uncommon  delight  which  his  intimacy  con- 
ferred, begged  him  to  lay  aside  every  formality, 
and  regard  his  house  as  his  home  ;  and  hinted 
that  he  feared  the  general  did  not  consider  it 


78  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

in  that  light,  as  the  guard  that  always  accom- 
panied him  seemed  to  indicate  that  he  was  not 
visiting  a  friend, 

"By  no  means,  dear  sir,"  exclaimed  the 
worthy  patriot;  "there  is  no  man  I  esteem 
more  than  yourself;  and  as  a  proof  of  the  con- 
fidence I  repose  in  you,  I  will  visit  you  alone 
to-morrow,  and  I  pledge  my  sacred  honor  that 
not  a  single  soldier  shall  accompany  me." 

"Pardon  me,  general,"  cried  the  host; 
"  but  why  so  serious  on  so  trifling  a  subject? 
I  merely  jested. 

"  I  am  aware  of  it,"  said  the  hero,  smiling  ; 
"  but  what  of  that  ?  I  have  long  considered 
the  planting  of  these  outposts  as  unnecessary, 
inasmuch  as  they  may  excite  the  suspicion  of 
the  enemy  ;  and  although  it  be  a  trifle,  that 
trifle  shall  not  sport  with  the  friendship  you 
indulge  for  me." 

"  But  then,  the  hour,  general  1" 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  79 

"  Oh  yes  !  two  o'clock,  you  said." 

"Precisely !"  returned  the  other. 

At  one  o'clock,  the  following  day,  the  gen- 
eral mounted  his  favorite  horse,  and  proceeded 
alone,  upon  a  by-road,  which  conducted  him 
to  the  hospitable  mansion.  It  was  about  half 
an  hour  before  the  time,  and  the  bustling  host 
received  him  with  open  arms,  in  addition  to 
the  greetings  of  the  delighted  family. 

"  How  punctual,  kind  sir!"  exclaimed  the 
warm-hearted  friend. 

"Punctuality,"  replied  Washington,  "is 
an  angel  virtue,  embracing  minor,  as  well  as 
important  concerns.  He  that  is  not  punctual 
with  a  friend  may  doubt  his  integrity." 

The  host  started  ;  but  recovering  himself, 
he  added,  "  Then  yours  is  a  proof  that  we 
enjoy  your  fullest  confidence." 

Washington  proposed  a  promenade  upon  the 
piazza,  previous  to  the  dinner.    It  overlooked  a 


80  ANECDOTES   OF  -WASHINGTON. 

rough  country,  several  miles  in  extent ;  fields 
of  grain  sweeping  here  and  there  beneath  sides 
of  bleak  hills  producing  nothing  but  grass; 
shallow  runnels  of  water  flowing  along  the  un- 
even waste,  then  hidden  by  woodlands,  inter- 
cepting a  prospect  of  the  country  beyond, 
spotted  now  and  then  with  silver  glimpses  of 
the  Hudson,  stealing  through  the  sloping 
grounds  below,  and  chequered  on  both  sides  by 
the  dim  purple  Highlands,  frowning  sometimes 
in  hoary  battlements,  and  tapering  again  into 
gentle  valleys  hardly  illuminated  by  the  sun. 

44  This  is  fine,  bold  scenery !"  exclaimed  the 
general,  apparently  absorbed  in  the  beauty  of 
the  prospect. 

44  Yes,  sir,"  replied  his  friend,  looking  wist- 
fully around,  as  if  expecting  some  one's  ap- 
proach ;  but  catching  the  pieixing  glance  of 
Washington,  his  eyes  were  fastened  confusedly 
on  the  floor. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  81 

"  I  must  rally  you,  my  friend,"  observed 
the  general.  "Do  you  not  perceive  yonder 
point,  that  boldly  rises  from  the  water,  and  is 
suddenly  lost  behind  that  hill,  which  obstinately 
checks  the  view  ?" 

"  I  do,"  replied  the  absent  listener,  engaged 
apparently  in  something  else  than  the  subject 
of  inquiry.    • 

"  There,"  continued  the  hero,  "my  enemy 
lies  encamped  ;  and  were  it  not  for  a  slight 
mist,  I  could  almost  fancy  that  I  perceived  his 
cavalry  moving ;  but  hark — that  cannon !  Do 
you  not  think  it  proceeds  from  the  head  quar- 
ters of  the  enemy  ?" 

"While  pointing  out  to  his  friend  the  profile  of 
the  country,  the  face  of  the  latter  was  often 
turned  the  other  way,  seemingly  engrossed  in 
another  object,  immediately  behind  the  house. 
He  was  not  mistaken :  it  was  a  troop,  seemingly 
of  British  horse,  that  were  descending  a  distant 


82  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

hill,  winding  through  a  labyrinth  of  numerous 
projections  and  trees,  until  they  were  seen  gal- 
loping through  the  valley  below  ;  and  then 
again  they  were  hidden  by  a  field  of  forest,  that 
swelled  along  the  bosom  of  the  landscape. 

"  Would  it  not  be  strange,''  observed  the 
general,  apparently  unconscious  of  the  move- 
ments behind  him,  "that,  after  all  my  toils, 
America  should  forfeit  her  liberty  3" 

"Heaven  forbid!"  said  his  friend,  becom- 
ing less  reserved,  and  entering  more  warmly 
into  the  feelings  of  the  other. 

"  But,"  resumed  Washington, "  I  have  heard 
of  treachery  in  the  heart  of  one's  camp  ;  and 
doubtless  you  know  that  it  is  possible  'to  be 
wounded  in  the  house  of  one's  friend.'" 

"  Sir,"  demanded  the  downcast  host,  unable 
to  meet  the  searching  glance  of  his  companion, 
"  who  can  possibly  intend  so  daring  a  crime  ?" 

"I  only  meant,"  replied  the  other,  "that 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  83 

treachery  is  the  most  hideous  of  crimes ;  for, 
Judas-like,  it  will  even  sell  its  Lord  for  money !  % 

"  Very  true,  dear  sir,"  responded  the  anxious 
host,  as  he  gazed  on  a  troop  of  British  horse 
winding  round  the  hill,  and  riding  with  post 
haste  towards  the  hospitable  mansion. 

"Is  it  two  o'clock  yet  ?"  demanded  Wash- 
ington ;  "for  I  have  an  engagement  this  after- 
noon at  the  army,  and  I  regret  that  my  visit 
therefore  must  be  shorter  than  I  intended." 

"  It  lacks  a  full  quarter  yet,"  said  his  friend, 
seeming  doubtful  of  his  watch,  from  the  arrival 
of  the  horsemen. 

"But,  bless  me,  sir!"  said  Washington; 
"  what  cavalry  are  those  that  are  so  rapidly 
approaching  the  house?" 

"  Oh,  they  may  possibly  be  a  party  of 
British  light  horse,"  returned  his  companion, 
coolly,  "which  mean  no  harm;  and,  if  I  mis- 
take not,  they  have  been  sent  for  the  purpose 
of  protecting  me."  > 


84  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

As  he  said  this,  the  captain  of  the  troop  was 
seen  dismounting  from  his  horse ;  and  his  ex- 
ample was  followed  by  the  rest  of  the  party. 


"  General,"  returned  his  host,  walking  to 
him  very  familiarly,  and  tapping  him  on  the 
shoulder,  "  general,  you  are  my  prisoner!" 

"  I  believe  not,"  replied  Washington,  looking 
calmly  at  the  men,  who  were  approaching  the 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  85 

steps;  "but,  friend/'  exclaimed  he,  slapping 
him  in  return  on  the  arm,  "  I  knoio  that  you  are 
mine!  Here,  officers,  carry  this  treacherous 
hypocrite  to  the  camp,  and  I  will  make  him 
an  example  to  the  enemies  of  America/' 

The  British  general  had  secretly  offered  an 
immense  sum  to  this  man^to  make  an  appoint- 
ment with  the  hero,  at  two  o'clock,  at  which 
time  he  was  to  send  a  troop  of  horse,  to  secure 
him  in  their  possession.  Suspecting  his  in- 
tentions, Washington  had  directed  his  own 
troops  to  habit  themselves  as  English  cavalry, 
and  arrive  half  an  hour,  precisely,  before  the 
time  he  was  expected. 

They  pursued  their  way  to  the  camp,  tri- 
umphing at  the  sagacity  of  their  commander, 
who  had  so  astonishingly  defeated  the  ma- 
chinations of  the  British  general.  But  the 
humanity  of  Washington  prevailed  over  his 
sense  of  justice.     Overcome  by  the  tears  and 


86  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

prayers  of  the  family,  he  pardoned  his  treach- 
erous friend,  on  condition  of  his  leaving  the 
country  forever;  which  he  accordingly  did; 
and  his  name  was  ever  after  sunk  in  oblivion. 


WASHINGTON'S  SENSE  OF  JUSTICE. 

During  the  time  the  American  and  British 
forces  were  quartered  in  Westchester  county, 
near  Yonkers,  the  honest  families  (women  and 
children,  for  fathers  and  sons  who  were  able  to 
bear  arms  were  forced  to  the  field  to  take  a  part 
in  the  struggle)  were  incessantly  harassed  with 
the  visits  of  scouting  parties.  About  this  time, 
an  order  was  given  to  the  soldiery,  by  an  Ame- 
rican genera],  to  seize  on  all  cattle  and  drive 
them  to  head  quarters ;  and  as  an  excuse  for 
these  rash  proceedings,  he  said  they  were  fat- 
tening for  the  British  army.  By  this  order, 
many  hundred  coivs,  fyc.  were  driven  to  White 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  87 

Plains,  leaving  the  poor  families  destitute  of 
the  means  of  life.  Driven  to  a  state  of  des- 
peration, the  women  resolved  to  follow  to 
head  quarters  and  make  known  their  com- 
plaints to  the  commander-in-chief  in  person. 

When  they  had  arrived  at  White  Plains, 
their  little  army  consisted  of  about  two  hun- 
dred honest  matrons,  determined  to  face  him 
by  whose  order  they  had  been  deprived  of 
their  property,  but  of  whose  feeling  character 
report  had  rightly  informed  them. 

When  they  came  in  sight  of  the  encampment, 
they  observed  a  man  calmly  standing  against  a 
post,  silently  looking  at  them  as  they  approached 
the  outward  gate :  he  ordered  his  servant  to  in- 
quire their  business,  when,  with  one  voice,  they 
all  answered,  "We  want  general  Washington!" 

The  stranger  beholding  an  old  lady  of  full 
four-score  years,  he  requested  her  to  approach 
him ;  she  came  to  the  piazza ;  he  said,  "  Take 


88  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

a  chair,  good  mother,  and  let  me  know  your 
grievances ;  for  I  am  general  Washington. *' 

The  old  lady  told  her  tale  with  all  the  pathetic 
eloquence  she  was  mistress  of,  which  was  no 
little,  for  it  was  a  tale  of  truth,  and  brought 
tears  from  the  general's  eyes. 

After  ending  her  story,  he  said,  ' '  Yes,  good 
mother,  you  and  your  companions  all  shall 
have  redress ;  but  in  walking  so  far  you  must 
wrant  rest  and  food."  In  half  an  hour  the 
large  table  in  the  hall  wras  groaning  under 
good  roast  beef  and  pudding.  The  women 
were  all  seated,  the  general  at  the  head  of  the 
table ;  he  rose  and  asked  his  fair  guests  if  they 
would  drink  to  the  health  of  general  Washing- 
ton. "  Yes,"  said  they,  and  drank  with  one 
consent.  May  every  man  in  power  have  the 
justice  and  humanity  of  general  Washington. 
Two  hours  ere  the  sun  sat,  saw  the  goodly 
group  of  female  heroes  returning  to  their 
homes,  following  their  regained  property. 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  89 

A  NOBLE  ACT. 

One  Reuben  Rouzy,  of  Virginia,  owed  the 
general  about  1000  pounds.  While  president 
of  the  United  States,  one  of  his  agents  brought 
an  action  for  the  money ;  judgment  was  obtain- 
ed, and  execution  issued  against  the  body  of 
the  defendant,  who  was  taken  to  jail.  He  had 
a  considerable  landed  estate,  but  this  kind  of 
property  cannot  be  sold  in  Virginia  for  debts, 
unless  at  the  discretion  of  the  person.  He  had 
a  large  family,  and  for  the  sake  of  his  children 
preferred  lying  in  jail  to  selling  his  land. 

A  friend  hin.ted  to  him,  that  probably  general 
Washington  did  not  know  any  thing  of  the  pro- 
ceeding, and  that  it  might  be  well  to  send  him  a 
petition,  with  a  statement  of  the  circumstances. 
He  did  so ;  and  the  very  next  post  from  Phila- 
delphia, after  the  arrival  of  his  petition  in  that 
city,  brought  him  an  order  for  his  immediate 


90  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

release,  together  with  a  full  discharge,  and  a 
severe  reprimand  to  the  agent  for  having  acted 
in  such  a  manner. 

Poor  Rouzy  was  in  consequence  restored 
to  his  family,  who  never  laid  down  their  heads 
at  night  without  presenting  prayers  to  Heaven 
for  their  "beloved  Washington."  Providence 
smiled  upon  the  labors  of  the  grateful  family, 
and  in  a  few  years  Rouzy  enjoyed  the  exquisite 
pleasure  of  being  able  to  lay  the  1000  pounds, 
with  the  interest,  at  the  feet  of  this  truly  great 
man.  Washington  reminded  him  that  the 
debt  was  discharged :  Rouzy  replied,  the  debt 
of  his  family  to  the  father  of  their  country  and 
preserver  of  their  parent  could  never  be  dis- 
charged ;  and  the  general,  to  avoid  the  pleas- 
ing importunity  of  the  grateful  Virginian,  who 
would  not  be  denied,  accepted  the  money — 
only,  however,  to  divide  it  among  Rouzy's 
children,  which  he  immediately  did. 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  91 


THE  SIX  BUSHELS  OF  SALT. 

In  the  commencement  of  the  year  1780,  the 
army  under  Washington  suffered  a  great  scar- 
city of  provisions,  and  its  effects  were  felt 
even  at  head  quarters,  as  appears  by  the 
following  anecdote. 

"  We  have  nothing  but  rations  to  cook,  sir," 
said  Mrs.  Thompson,  a  very  worthy  Irish  wo- 
man, and  housekeeper  to  general  Washington, 

"  Well,  Mrs.  Thompson,  you  must  cook  the 
rations  then,  for  I  have  not  a  cent  to  give  you." 

"  If  you  please,  sir,  let  one  of  the  gentlemen 
give  me  an  order  for  six  bushels  of  salt." 

"  Six  bushels  of  salt !  for  what  ?" 

"To  preserve  the  fresh  beef,  sir." 

One  of  the  aids  gave  the  order,  and  the  next 

day  his  excellency's  table  was  amply  provided. 

Mrs.  Thompson  was  sent  for,  and  told  that  she 

had  done  very  wrong  to  expend  her  own  money, 

7 


92  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

for  it  was  not  known  when  she  could  be  re- 
paid. "  I  owe  you,"  said  his  excellency,  "  too 
much  already  to  permit  the  debt  being  in- 
creased, and  our  situation  is  not  at  this  moment 
such  as  to  induce  very  sanguine  hope." 

"Dear  sir,"  said  the  good  old  lady,  "it  is 
always  darkest  just  before  daylight,  and  I  hope 
your  excellency  will  forgive  me  for  bartering 
the  salt  for  other  necessaries,  which  are  now 
on  the  table."  Salt  was  eight  dollars  a 
bushel,  and  might  always  be  exchanged  with 
the  country  people  for  articles  of  provision. 


WASHINGTON  TRAVELLING  ON  THE  SABBATH. 

In  the  town  of ,  in  Connecticut,  where 

the  roads  were  extremely  rough,  Washington 
was  overtaken  by  night,  on  Saturday,  not  being 
able  to  reach  the  town  where  he  designed  to 
rest  on  the  Sabbath.     Next  morning,  about 


ANECDOTES   OF   WASHINGTON.  93 

sunrise,  his  coach  was  harnessed,  and  he  was 
proceeding  forward  to  an  inn,  near  the  place 
of  worship,  which  he  proposed  to  attend. 

A  plain  man,  who  was  an  informing  officer, 
came  from  a  cottage,  and  inquired  of  the 
coachman  whether  there  were  any  urgent  rea- 
sons for  his  travelling  on  the  Lord's  day.  The 
general,  instead  of  resenting  this  as  impertinent 
rudeness,  ordered  the  coachman  to  stop,  and 
with  great  civility  explained  the  circumstances 
to  the  officer,  commending  him  for  his  fidelity, 
and  assured  him  that  nothing  was  farther  from 
his  intention  than  to  treat  with  disrespect  the 
laws  and  usages  of  Connecticut,  relative  to 
the  Sabbath,  which  met  with  his  most  cordial 
approbation. 

PUNCTUALITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Washington  accomplished  the  most  part 
of  his  great  works  with  apparent  ease,  by  a 


94  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

rigid  observance  of  punctuality.  It  is  known 
that  whenever  he  assigned  to  meet  congress  at 
noon,  he  never  failed  to  be  passing  the  door 
of  the  hall  when  the  clock  struck  twelve. 

His  dining  hour  was  four,  when  he  always  sat 
down  to  his  table,  allowing  only  five  minutes  for 
the  variation  of  timepieces,  whether  his  guests 
were  present  or  not.  It  was  frequently  the  case 
with  new  members  of  congress,  that  they  did 
not  arrive  until  dinner  was  nearly  half  over ;  and 
he  would  remark, ' '  Gentlemen,  we  are  punctual 
here ;  my  cook  never  asks  whether  the  com- 
pany has  arrived,  but  whether  the  hour  has." 

When  he  visited  Boston  in  1789,  he  appoint- 
ed eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  as  the  hour 
when  he  should  set  out  for  Salem ;  and  while 
the  Old  South  clock  was  striking  eight,  he  was 
crossing  the  saddle.  The  company  of  cavalry 
which  volunteered  to  escort  him,  not  anticipat- 
ing this  strict  punctuality,  were  parading  in 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  95 

Tremont  street,  after  his  departure ;  and  it  was 
not  until  the  president  had  reached  Charles' 
river  bridge,  where  he  stopped  a  few  moments, 
that  the  troop  of  horse  overtook  him.  On 
passing  the  corps,   the  president  said,  with 

perfect  good  nature,  ''Major ,  I  thought 

you  had  been  too  long  in  my  family  not  to 
know  when  it  was  eight  o'clock." 

The  following  anecdote  was  related  by  cap- 
tain Pease,  the  father  of  the  stage  establish- 
ment in  the  United  States.  He  had  purchased 
a  beautiful  pair  of  horses,  which  he  wished  to 
dispose  of  to  the  president,  who  he  knew  was 
an  excellent  judge  of  horses.  The  president 
appointed  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  ex- 
amine them  at  his  stable.  The  captain,  think- 
ing the  hour  too  early  for  so  great  a  man  to  be 
stirring,  did  not  arrive  with  the  horses  until  a 
quarter  after  five,  when  he  was  told  by  the 
groom  that  the  president  was  there  at  five,  and 
was  then  fulfilling  other  engagements. 


96  ANECDOTES   OF  "WASHINGTON. 

Pease  was  much  mortified,  and  called  on 
major  Jackson,  the  secretary,  to  apologize  for 
his  delay,  and  to  request  the  president  to  ap- 
point some  new  time  ;  and  he  added  that  he 
found  the  president's  time  was  wholly  pre-occu- 
pied  for  several  days,  and  that  he  was  compell- 
ed to  stay  a  week  in  Philadelphia  on  expense, 
before  the  examination  took  place,  merely  for 
delaying  the  first  quarter  of  an  hour. 


RELIGIOUS  CUSTOMS  OF  WASHINGTON. 

That  Washington  was  a  constant  attendant 
upon  divine  worship,  and  a  man  of  prayer,  ad- 
mits of  no  doubt.  This  was  highly  to  his 
credit ;  for  it  too  often  happens  that  men  in 
important  stations  think  that  their  pressure  of 
business  will  justly  excuse  them  for  neglecting 
all  religious  duties. 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  97 

It  is  related  of  Washington,  that,  in  the 
French  and  Indian  war,  when  he  was  a  colonel, 
he  used  himself,  in  the  absence  of  the  chaplain, 
on  the  Sabbath,  to  read  the  Scriptures  to  the 
soldiers  of  his  regiment,  and  to  pray  with 
them ;  and  that  more  than  once  he  was  found 
on  his  knees  in  his  marquee  at  secret  prayer. 

I  have  seen  also,  somewhere,  that  while  at 
home  at  Mount  Vernon,  he  was  always  punc- 
tual to  go  to  church.  Sometimes  he  had  dis- 
tinguished men  to  visit  him,  and  who  he  knew 
had  no  great  regard  for  religion.  This  made 
no  difference  with  his  conduct.  On  such  oc- 
casions he  regularly  attended  church,  and  in- 
vited them  to  accompany  him. 

During  his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  as 
president  of  the  United  States,  he  was  a  con- 
stant attendant  at  the  house  of  God,  on  the 
Sabbath ;  thus  setting  a  becoming  example  to 
others  in  authority.     And  it  has  often  been 


98  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

remarked,  that,  in  all  his  public  messages  to 
congress,  he  was  particular  to  allude  in  some 
appropriate  manner  to  God's  overruling  pro- 
vidence, and  his  sense  of  his  own  and  the 
nation's  dependence  upon  divine  favor,  for  in- 
dividual and  national  prosperity. 

I  shall  conclude  this  article  with  the  follow- 
ing authentic  story  of  Potts,  the  honest  Quaker. 

During  the  winter  of  1777,  the  American 
army  lay  encamped  at  Valley  Forge.  It  was 
a  trying  time  with  the  army,  and  the  country. 
Prospects  were  much  against  our  success. 

One  day,  a  Quaker  by  the  name  of  Potts 
had  occasion  to  go  to  a  certain  place,  which 
led  him  through  a  large  grove,  at  no  great 
distance  from  head  quarters. 

As  he  was  proceeding  along,  he  thought  he 
heard  a  noise.  He  stopped  and  listened.  He 
did  hear  the  sound  of  a  human  voice  at  some 
distance,  but  quite  indistinctly.     As  it  was  in 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  99 

the  direct  course  he  was  pursuing,  he  went 
on,  but  with  some  caution.  Occasionally  he 
paused  and  listened,  and  with  increasing  con- 
viction that  he  heard  some  one. 

At  length  he  came  within  sight  of  a  man, 
whose  back  was  turned  towards  him,  on  his 
knees,  in  the  attitude  of  prayer.  It  was  a 
secluded  spot — a  kind  of  natural  bower ;  but 
it  was  the  house  of  prayer. 

Potts  now  stopped,  partly  leaned  forward, 
and  watched  till  whoever  it  might  be  was 
through  his  devotions.  This  was  not  long. 
And  whom  should  he  now  see  but  Washington 
himself,  the  commander  of  the  American  ar- 
mies, returning  from  bending  prostrate  before 
the  God  of  armies  above. 

Potts  himself  was  a  pious  man.  He  knew 
the  power  of  prayer ;  and  no  sooner  had  he 
reached  home,  than  in  the  fulness  of  his  faith 
he  broke  forth  to  his  wife  Sarah,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  a  watchman : 


100  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

"Wife!  Sarah!  my  dear,  all's  well!  all's 
well!  Yes,  George  Washington  is  sure  to 
beat  the  British — sure!" 

'  <  What !  what 's  the  matter  with  the,  Isaac  ?  " 
replied  the  startled  Sarah.  "Thee  seems  to 
be  much  moved  about  something." 

"Well,  and  what  if  I  am  moved?  who 
would  not  be  moved  at  such  a  sight  as  I  have 
seen  to-day?" 

"And  what  hast  thee  seen,  Isaac?" 

"  Seen !  I  've  seen  a  man  at  prayer ! — in  the 
woods! — George  Washington  himself!  And 
now  I  say, — just  what  I  have  said, — All's 
well ;  George  Washington  is  sure  to  beat  the 
British! — sure!" 

Whether  Sarah's  faith  was  as  strong  as 
Isaac's,  I  cannot  say;  but  Potts'  logic  was 
sound — that  in  a  good  cause,  a  man  of  prayer 
is  sure  to  succeed — sure. 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  101 

WASHINGTON'S  BENEVOLENCE. 

It  is  more  difficult  for  a  rich  man  to  be 
benevolent  than  poor  people  are  apt  to  ima- 
gine ;  for,  although  he  has  the  ability,  he  often 
wants  the  disposition ;  and  this  is  often  hard 
to  obtain.  Wealth,  instead  of  rendering  the 
heart  liberal,  makes  it  selfish. 

But  in  respect  to  Washington  we  find  a  hap- 
py exception.  He  was  rich,  and  he  was  chari- 
table. Not  a  few  instances  are  recorded  of  his 
benevolence.  We  have  recorded  some  in  this 
volume.     We  shall  here  relate  some  others. 

He  owned  several  fishing  stations  on  the  Po- 
tomac, at  which  excellent  herring  were  caught, 
and  which,  when  salted,  proved  an  important 
article  of  food  to  the  poor.  For  their  accom- 
modation he  appropriated  a  station — one  of  the 
best  he  had — and  furnished  it  with  all  the  ne- 
cessary apparatus  for  taking  herring.    Here  the 


102  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

honest  poor  might  fish,  free  of  expense,  at  any 
time,  by  only  an  application  to  the  overseer; 
and  if  at  any  time  inadequate  to  draw  the  seine, 
assistance  was  rendered  by  order  of  the  general. 
By  this  means,  all  the  poor  round  about  had  the 
means  of  procuring  a  competent  stock  of  this 
valuable  food  for  their  families.  No  marvel 
that  such  a  general  as  Washington  was  in  the 
army,  and  such  a  man  in  retirement,  should  be 
said  to  be  "  first  in  war,  first  in  peace,  and  first 
in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen. " 

Another  rule  on  one  of  his  plantations,  was 
to  have  a  corn  house  filled  every  year  with  corn, 
to  be  distributed  to  the  poor  of  the  neighbor- 
hood ;  and  on  one  occasion  it  is  related  that  at 
a  time  when  corn  was  worth  a  dollar  a  bushel, 
and  by  means  of  the  scarcity  the  poorer  classes 
were  suffering,  orders  were  transmitted  to  his 
agent  to  give  away  all  that  could  be  spared,  and 
if  there  was  not  enough  to  supply  the  wants  of 


ANECDOTES  OF  WASHINGTON.  103 

the  poor,  to  purchase  some  hundreds  of  bush- 
els. This  was  not  merely  ivishing  well  to  his 
fellow-beings,  but  acting  well  for  them. 

The  story  of  the  poor  Irishman  always  pleas- 
ed me.  He  wanted  to  hire  a  farm,  and  hearing 
that  general  W.  had  one  to  let,  he  made  him 
a  visit  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  it. 

The  general  had  just  before  leased  it,  and 
therefore  had  none  to  dispose  of.  But  he  ex- 
pressed his  kindness  for  poor  Pat,  and  sincerely 
regretted  that  he  could  not  accommodate  him. 

"A  thousand  thanks  to^  your  honor ! "  ex- 
claimed the  Irishman,  as  he  took  his  leave. 

"What!"  said  Washington,  "thank  me, 
when  I  have  refused  you  ?" 

"Och!"  said  Pat,  "thank  you;  upon  my 
shoul,  that  I  do,  a  thousand  times. " 

"And  why  V  said  Washington. 

«  Why !  och !  and  bless  your  dear  eyes,  you 
trate  me  like  a  rael  gentleman.    You  tell  'd  me 


104  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

at  once  that  you  could  not  serve  me,  and  don't 
keep  me  waiting  here  like  a  nigger  all  day. 
You've  done  my  business  for  me  in  no  time  at 
all.     So  farewell  to  your  honor's  excellence." 


\ 

WASHINGTON'S  FRIENDSHIP  FOR  GEN.  KNOX. 

Washington  always  kept  this  useful  and 
scientific  officer  near  his  own  person ;  and  he 
not  only  honored  him  with  confidence,  but  with 
brotherly  affection.  After  the  defeat  of  Gates' 
army  at  Camden,  general  Greene  was  offered 
the  arduous  command  of  the  southern  depart- 
ment. The  Quaker  general,  with  his  usual 
modesty,  replied,  "  Knox  is  the  man  for  that 
difficult  undertaking  ;  all  obstacles  vanish  be- 
fore him;  his  resources  are  infinite."  "True," 
replied  Washington,  "and  therefore  I  cannot 
part  with  him." 


ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON.  105 

WASHINGTON'S  FAVORITE  HORSES. 

General  Washington  had  two  favorite 
horses ;  one  a  large  elegant  parade  horse,  of 
a  chestnut  color,  high  spirited,  and  of  a  gallant 
carriage :  this  horse  had  belonged  to  the  British 
army.  The  other  was  smaller,  and  his  color 
sorrel.  This  he  used  always  to  ride  in  time 
of  action;  so  that  whenever  the  general  mount- 
ed him,  the  word  ran  through  the  ranks,  "  We 
have  business  on  hand." 


WASHINGTON'S  FAREWELL  TO  HIS  OFFICERS. 

The  principal  officers  of  the  army  assembled 
at  Francis'  tavern  in  New  York,  to  take  a  final 
leave  of  their  much  loved  commander-in-chief. 
Soon  after,  his  excellency  entered  the  room. 
His  emotions  were  too  strong  to  be  concealed. 
Filling  a  glass  and  turning  to  them,  he  said, 


105 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 


"With  a  heart  full  of  love  and  gratitude,  I 
now  take  leave  of  you.  I  most  devoutly  wish 
that  your  latter  days  may  be  as  prosperous  and 
happy  as  your  former  ones  have  been  glorious 
and  honor  able." 


Having  drank,  he  added,  "  I  cannot  come  to 
each  of  you  to  take  my  leave,  but  shall  be 
obliged  to  you  if  each  of  you  will  come  and 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  107 

take  me  by  the  hand."  General  Knox,  being 
nearest,  turned  to  him.  Incapable  of  utter- 
ance, Washington  in  tears  grasped  his  hand, 
embraced,  and  kissed  him. 

In  the  same  affectionate  manner  he  took 
leave  of  each  succeeding  officer.  In  every 
eye  was  the  tear  of  dignified  sensibility ;  and 
not  a  whisper  interrupted  the  eloquent  silence 
and  tenderness  of  the  scene. 

Leaving  the  room,  he  passed  through  the 
corps  of  light  infantry,  and  walked  to  White 
Hall,  where  a  barge  waited  to  convey  him  to 
Paulus'  Hook.  The  whole  company  followed 
in  mute  and  solemn  procession,  with  dejected 
countenances,  testifying  feelings  of  delicious 
melancholy  which  no  language  can  describe. 
Having  entered  the  barge,  he  turned  to  the 
company,  and  waving  his  hat,  he  bade  them  a 
silent  adieu.  They  paid  him  the  same  affec- 
tionate compliment,  and  after  the  barge  had  left 
8 


108  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

them,  they  returned,  in  the  same  solemn  man- 
ner, to  the  place  where  they  had  assembled. 
The  passions  of  human  nature  were  never 
more  agitated  than  in  this  interesting  and  dis- 
tressful scene. 


RESIGNATION  OF  HIS  MILITARY  COMMISSION. 

On  the  23d  of  December,  17S3,  general 
Washington  resigned  his  commission  to  con- 
gress, as  commander-in-chief  of  the  armies  of 
the  United  States. 

On  this  interesting  and  solemn  occasion  he 
appeared  in  the  hall  of  congress.  As  he  rose 
to  speak,  every  eye  was  fixed  upon  him.  He 
began  by  expressing  his  humble  joy  at  the 
accomplishment  of  his  wishes  and  exertions, 
in  the  independence  of  his  country.  Next,  he 
commended  to  congress  and  to  the  country 
the  companions  of  his  toils  and  trials,  and 
concluded  as  follows : 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON.  109 

"  I  consider  it  an  indispensable  duty  to 
close  the  last  solemn  act  of  my  official  life,  by 
commending  the  interests  of  our  dearest  coun- 
try to  the  protection  of  Almighty  God,  and 
those  who  have  the  superintendence  of  them 
to  his  holy  keeping. 

"  Having  now  finished  the  work  assigned  me, 
I  retire  from  the  great  theatre  of  action ;  and, 
bidding  an  affectionate  farewell  to  this  august 
body,  under  whose  orders  I  have  long  acted, 
I  here  offer  my  commission,  and  take  my  leave 
of  all  the  employments  of  public  life." 


PRESIDENT  MIFFLIN'S  REPLY. 

Upon  accepting  his  commission,  congress, 
through  their  president,  expressed  in  glowing 
language  to  Washington  their  high  sense  of 
his  wisdom  and  energy,  in  conducting  the  war 


110  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

to  so  happy  a  termination,  and  invoked  the 
choicest  blessings  upon  his  future  life. 

President  Mifflin  concluded  as  follows: — * 
"  We  join  you  in  commending  the  interests  of 
our  dearest  country  to  Almighty  God,  beseech- 
ing him  to  dispose  the  hearts  and  minds  of  its 
citizens  to  improve  the  opportunity  afforded 
them  of  becoming  a  happy  and  respectable 
nation.  And  as  for  you,  we  address  to  Him 
our  earnest  prayers,  that  the  life  so  beloved 
may  be  fostered  with  all  his  care ;  that  your 
days  may  be  as  happy  as  they  have  been  illus- 
trious ;  and  that  he  will  finally  give  you  that 
reward  which  this  world  cannot  give." 

A  profound  silence  now  pervaded  the  assem- 
bly. The  grandeur  of  the  scene,  the  recollec- 
tion of  the  past,  the  felicity  of  the  present,  and 
the  hopes  of  the  future,  crowded  fast  upon  all) 
while  they  united  in  invoking  blessings  upon  the 
man  who,  under  God,  had  achieved  so  much, 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  Ill 

and  who  now,  in  the  character  of  a  mere 
citizen,  was  hastening  to  a  long-desired  repose, 
at  his  seat  at  Mount  Vernon,  in  Virginia. 


WASHINGTON  APPOINTED  PRESIDENT. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  1789,  in  the  fifty-sev- 
enth year  of  his  age,  congress  informed  him  of 
his  appointment  to  the  presidency ;  and  he  ac- 
cepted it  because  it  was  the  call  of  his  country- 
men to  serve  them.  On  this  occasion  he  wrote 
a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends,  in  which  he  ex- 
pressed sentiments  which  showed  the  dignity 
and  modesty  of  his  character.  He  said,  "  I  am 
unwilling,  in  the  evening  of  a  life  nearly  con- 
sumed in  public  cares,  to  quit  a  peaceful  abode 
for  an  ocean  of  difficulties,  without  the  compe- 
tency of  political  skill,  abilities,  and  inclination, 
which  are  necessary  to  manage  the  helm.  I  am 
sensible  that  I  am  embarking  on  a  hazardous 


112  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

voyage,  but  what  returns  will  be  made  Heaven 
alone  can  foretell.  Integrity  and  firmness  are 
all  I  can  promise ;  these,  be  the  voyage  long  or 
short,  shall  never  forsake  me,  although  I  may 
be  deserted  by  all  men ;  for  of  the  consolations 
which  are  to  be  derived  from  these,  under  any 
circumstances,  the  world  cannot  deprive  me." 
He  knew  that  fickle  men  might  withdraw  the 
honors  which  they  had  given  to  him ;  but  vir- 
tue, the  gift  of  his  adored  Creator,  he  felt  that 
man  had  no  power  to  take  from  him. 

He  visited  his  respected  mother  to  inform 
her  of  his  appointment.  He  had  endeavored 
to  prevail  on  her  to  make  Mount  Vernon  the 
home  of  her  latter  years ;  but  she  would  not 
consent  to  leave  her  humble  dwelling,  which 
was  particularly  dear  to  her  from  having  near 
it  a  rural  spot,  made  private  by  surrounding 
trees,  where  she  daily  offered  up  to  her  Creator 
her  confessions  and  prayers. 


ANECDOTES   OF   WASHINGTON.  113 

When  her  son  told  her  that  he  must  bid  her 
farewell,  he  said,  "  As  soon  as  the  weight  of 
public  business,  which  must  necessarily  attend 
the  outset  of  a  new  government,  can  be  dis- 
posed of,  I  shall  return  to  Virginia  and" — 

"  You  will  see  me  no  more,"  said  his  mo- 
ther, interrupting  him;  "my  great  age  warns 
me  that  I  shall  not  be  long  in  this  world.  I 
trust  in  God  that  I  may  be  somewhat  prepared 
for  a  better.  Go,  George;  go,  my  son!  and 
perform  your  duties ;  and  may  the  blessing  of 
God,  and  that  of  a  mother,  be  with  you  al- 
ways." She  cast  her  feeble  arms  fondly 
around  his  neck,  and  resting  his  head  on  the 
shoulder  of  his  aged  parent,  the  truly  great 
man  shed  tears  of  filial  tenderness. 

He  parted  from  her  with  the  sad  feeling  that 
he  should  indeed  "  see  her  no  more ;"  and  in  a 
short  time  her  eighty-five  years  of  life  closed  in 
death.     But  her  son  could  have  the  comforting 


114  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

hope,  that  she  would  be  one  of  those  happy 
beings  to  whom  the  word  of  truth  gives  the  as- 
surance, that  after  passing  through  "the  dark 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,"  where  christians 
need  "fear  no  evil,'  they  shall  partake  of  those 
sinless  and  endless  enjoyments,  which  "God 
hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 


WASHINGTON'S  JOURNEY  TO  NEW  YORK. 

In  April  he  left  Mount  Vernon  to  proceed 
to  New  York,  to  enter  on  the  duties  of  his  high 
office.  Every  where  he  received  testimonies 
of  respect  and  love.  At  Trenton,  the  gentler 
sex  rewarded  him  for  his  successful  enterprise, 
and  the  protection  he  afforded  them  twelve 
years  before.  On  the  bridge  over  the  creek, 
which  passes  through  the  town,  was  erected  a 
triumphal  arch,  ornamented  with  laurels  and 
flowers,  and  supported  by  thirteen  pillars,  each 


ANECDOTES  OF  WASHINGTON.  115 

encircled  with  evergreen.     On  the  front  of  the 
arch  was  inscribed,  in  large  gilt  letters,  The 

DEFENDER    OF    THE    MOTHERS    WILL    BE    THE 
PROTECTOR   OF   THE    DAUGHTERS. 

At  this  place  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  ma- 
trons, leading  their  daughters,  who  were  dress- 
ed in  white,  and  who,  with  baskets  of  flowers 
in  their  hands,  sung  with  exquisite  sweetness 
the  following  ode,  written  for  the  occasion : — 

Welcome,  mighty  chief,  once  more 
Welcome  to  this  grateful  shore; 
Now  no  mercenary  foe 
Aims  again  the  fatal  blow, 
Aims  at  thee  the  fatal  blow. 

,  Virgins  fair  and  matrons  grave, 
Those  thy  conquering  arm  did  save, 
Build  for  thee  triumphal  bowers  ; 
Strew,  ye  fair,  his  way  with  flowers, 
Strew  your  hero's  way  with  flowers. 

At  the  last  line,  the  flowers  were  strewed 
before  him.     After  receiving  such  proofs  of 


116  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

affectionate  attachment,  he  arrived  at  New 
York,  and  was  inaugurated  first  president  of 
the  United  States,  on  the  thirteenth  of  April. 


WASHINGTON'S  INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

It  is  usual  for  every  president  of  the  United 
States  to  deliver  an  address  at  the  time  he  is 
inducted  into  office.  When  general  Washing- 
ton was  about  to  enter  on  his  duties  as  presi- 
dent, among  other  things,  he  said: — 

"  It  would  be  peculiarly  improper  to  omit, 
in  this  first  official  act,  my  fervent  supplications 
to  that  Almighty  Being  who  rules  over  the  uni- 
verse, who  presides  in  the  councils  of  nations, 
and  whose  providential  aids  can  supply  every 
human  defect,  that  his  benediction  may  conse- 
crate to  the  liberties  and  happiness  of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  United  States  a  government  instituted 
by  themselves,  for  these  essential  purposes ; 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  117 

and  may  enable  every  instrument  employed  in 
its  administration  to  execute  with  success  the 
functions  allotted  to  his  charge. 

"  In  tendering  this  homage  to  the  Great  Au- 
thor of  every  public  and  private  good,  I  assure 
myself  that  it  expresses  your  sentiments  not  less 
than  my  own,  nor  those  of  my  fellow-citizens  at 
large  less  than  either.  No  people  can  be  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  adore  the  invisible  hand 
which  conducts  the  affairs  of  men,  more  than 
the  people  of  the  United  States.  Every  step 
by  which  they  have  advanced  to  the  character 
of  an  independent  nation,  seems  to  have  been 
distinguished  by  some  token  of  providential 
agency.  These  reflections,  arising  out  of 
the  present  crisis,  have  forced  themselves  too 
strongly  on  my  mind  to  be  suppressed.  You 
will  join  with  me,  I  trust,  in  thinking  that  there 
are  none  under  the  influence  of  which  a  new 
and  free  government  can  more  auspiciously 
commence." 


118  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

At  the  close  of  this  address,  which  has  ever 
since  been  justly  admired,  and  which  is  worthy 
of  double  honor  from  its  repeated  reference  to 
the  good  providence  of  God  as  the  basis  of  all 
national  prosperity,  he  adds — "I  shall  take 
my  present  leave ;  but  not  without  resorting 
once  more  to  the  benign  Parent  of  the  human 
race,  in  humble  supplication  that,  since  he  has 
been  pleased  to  favor  the  American  people  with 
opportunities  for  deliberating  with  perfect  tran- 
quillity, and  dispositions  for  deciding  with  un- 
paralleled unanimity,  on  a  form  of  government 
for  the  security  of  their  union,  and  the  advance- 
ment of  their  happiness ;  so  his  divine  blessings 
may  be  equally  conspicuous  in  the  enlarged 
views,  the  temperate  consultations,  and  the 
wise  measures,  on  which  the  success  of  this 
government  must  depend." 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  119 

WASHINGTON'S  JOURNEYS. 

The  first  president  took  considerable  pains, 
and  used  frequent  stratagems,  to  avoid  the  num- 
berless manifestations  of  attachment  and  res- 
pect, which  awaited  him  wherever  he  went. 
On  his  journeys  he  charged  the  courier,  who 
would  precede  to  engage  accommodations  at 
the  inns,  by  no  means  to  mention  the  coming 
of  the  president  to  other  than  the  landlord. 
These  precautions  but  rarely  took  effect ;  and 
when  the  chief  would  suppose  he  had  stolen  a 
march  on  his  old  companions  in  arms  and  fel- 
low-citizens, a  horseman  would  be  discovered 
dashing  off  at  full  speed,  and  soon  would  be 
heard  the  trumpet  of  the  volunteer  cavalry;  and 
the  village  cannon,  roused  from  its  bed  of  neg- 
lect, where  it  had  lain  since  warlike  times, 
would  summon  all  within  reach  of  its  echoes, 
to  haste  and  bid  welcome  to  the  man  who  was 
"first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen. " 


120  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

Every  village  and  little  hamlet  poured  forth 
their  population  to  greet  the  arrival  of  him 
whom  all  delighted  to  honor.  A  kind  of 
jubilee  everywhere  attended  the  progress  of 
the  patriot  chief;  for  even  the  school  children, 
with  the  curiosity  incident  to  that  age  of  inno- 
cence, would  labor  hard  at  the  daily  lesson, 
and  leave  the  birch  to  hang  idly  on  the  wall, 
when  to  see  general  Washington  was  the  ex- 
pected holiday  and  reward.  And  many  of  these 
children,  now  the  parents  of  families,  while  re- 
calling the  golden  hours  of  infancy,  will  dwell 
with  delight  on  the  time  when  they  were  pre- 
sented to  the  paternal  chief,  and  recount  how 
they  heard  the  kindly  sounds  of  his  voice,  felt 
the  kindlier  touch  of  his  hand,  or  climbed  his 
knee  to  share  the  good  man's  smile.  Pure, 
happy,  and  honored  recollections !  They  will 
descend  like  traditionary  lore  from  generation 
to  generation,  venerable  to  all  future  time. 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON.  121 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  AND   THE  IRISHMAN. 

In  the  first  presidency  the  door  of  the  pre- 
sident's house  gathered  but  little  rust  on  its 
hinges,  while  often  was  its  latch  lifted  by  the 
"broken  soldier."  Scarce  a  day  passed  that 
some  veteran  of  the  heroic  time  did  not  present 
himself  at  head  quarters.  The  most  tattered 
of  these  types  of  the  days  of  privation  and  trial 
was  "  kindly  bid  to  stay,"  was  offered  refresh- 
ment, and  a  glass  of  something  to  the  old  gen- 
eral's health,  and  then  dismissed  with  lighter 
hearts  and  heavier  pouches. 

So  passed  the  many ;  but  not  so  with  one 
of  Erin's  sons.  It  was  about  the  hour  of  the 
Tuesday  levee,  when  German  John,  the  por- 
ter, opened  to  a  hearty  rap,  expecting  to  admit 
at  least  a  dignitary  of  the  land,  or  foreign  am- 
bassador, when  who  should  march  into  the 
hall  but  an  old  fellow,  whose  weatherbeaten 


122  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

countenance  and  well  worn  apparel  showed 
him  to  be  no  "  carpet  knight."  His  introduc- 
tion was  short,  but  to  the  purpose. 

He  had  come  to  head  quarters  to  see  his 
honor's  excellence,  God  bless  him.  He  was 
an  old  soldier.  In  vain  the  porter  assured  him 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  see  the  president 
at  that  time;  a  great  company  was  momently 
expected;  the  hall  was  not  a  fitting  place; 
would  he  go  to  the  steward's  apartment  and 
get  something  to  drink  ?  To  all  which  Pat 
replied  that  he  was  in  no  hurry ;  that  he  would 
wait  his  honor's  leisure ; — and  taking  a  chair, 
composed  and  made  himself  comfortable. 

And  now  passed  ministers  of  state,  and  for- 
eign ministers,  senators,  judges,  the  great  and 
the  gay;  meanwhile  poor  Pat  stoutly  main- 
tained his  post,  gazing  on  the  crowd  till  the 
levee  ended.  The  president,  about  to  retire 
to  his  library,  was  informed  that  an  obstinate 


ANECDOTES   OF   "WASHINGTON.  123 

Irishman  had  taken  possession  of  the  hall,  and 
would  be  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  an  in- 
terview with  the  president  himself. 

The  chief  good-naturedly  turned  into  the 
hall.  So  soon  as  the  veteran  saw  his  old  com- 
mander, he  roared  out,  "  Long  life  to  your 
honor's  excellency ;"  at  the  same  time  hurl- 
ing his  hat  to  the  ground,  and  erecting  himself 
with  military  precision. 

"  Your  honor  will  not  remember  me ;  though 
many  is  the  day  that  I  have  marched  under 
your  orders,  and  many  's  the  hard  knock  I  've 
had  too.  I  belonged  to  Wayne's  brigade — 
Mad  Antony,  the  British  called  him,  and,  by 
the  powers,  he  was  always  mad  enough  for 
them.  I  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Ger- 
mantown.  Hurra  for  America !  And  it  does 
my  heart  good  to  see  your  honor ;  and  how  is 
the  dear  lady  and  the  little  ones  V 

Here  the  usually  grave  temperament  of 
9 


124  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

Washington  gave  way,  as  with  a  smile  he  re- 
plied, that  he  was  well,  as  was  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington ;  but  they  were  unfortunate  in  having 
no  children;  then  pressing  a  token  into  the 
soldier's  hand,  he  ascended  the  staircase  to  his 
library.  The  Irishman  followed  with  his  eyes 
the  retiring  general,  then  looked  again  and 
again  upon  the  token  which  he  had  received 
from  his  honor's  own  hand,  pouched  it,  recov- 
ered his  hat,  which  he  placed  with  military 
exactness  a  little  on  one  side,  then  took  up 
his  line  of  march,  and  as  he  passed  the  porter, 
called  out,  "  There,  now,  you  Hessian  fellow, 
you  see  his  honor's  excellence  has  not  for- 
gotten an  old  soldier.' ' 


FRANKLIN'S  TOAST  ABOUT  WASHINGTON. 

Long  after  Washington's  victories  over  the 
French  and  English  had  made  his  name  familiar 
to  all  Europe,  Dr.  Franklin  chanced  to  dine 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON.  125 

with  the  English  and  French  ambassadors, 
when  the  following  toasts  were  drunk.  By 
the  British  ambassador.  ' '  England — the  sun, 
whose  bright  beams  enlighten  and  fructify  the 
remotest  corners  of  the  earth. "  The  French 
ambassador,  glowing  with  national  pride,  but 
too  polite  to  dispute  the  previous  toast,  drank, 
"  France — the  moon,  whose  mild,  steady,  and 
cheering  rays  are  the  delight  of  all  nations ; 
consoling  them  in  darkness,  and  making  their 
dreariness  beautiful.' ' 

Dr.  Franklin  then  rose,  and,  with  his  usual 
dignified  simplicity,  said,  "George  Washing- 
ton— the  Joshua,  who  commanded  the  sun  and 
moon  to  stand  still;  and  they  obeyed  him." 


YOUTH  AND  EXPERIENCE. 

A   gentleman   who  had  heard  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Davis  relate  that  Col.  Washington  had 


126  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

said  "he  knew  no  music  so  pleasing  as  the 
whistling  of  bullets/'  being  alone  with  him  at 
Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  in  the  latter  end  of 
1775,  at  the  time  he  was  commander-in-chief 
of  the  continental  forces,  asked  him  whether  it 
was  as  had  been  related.  The  general  answer- 
ed, "If  I  said  so,  it  was  when  I  was  young." 


BONAPARTE'S  OPINION  OP  WASHINGTON. 

"Ah,  gentlemen  !"  exclaimed  Bonaparte — 
'twas  just  as  he  was  about  to  embark  for  Egypt 
— some  young  Americans  happening  at  Toulon, 
and  anxious  to  see  the  mighty  Corsican,  had 
obtained  the  honor  of  an  introduction  to  him. 
Scarcely  were  past  the  customary  salutations, 
when  he  eagerly  asked,  "  How  fares  your  coun- 
tryman, the  great  Washington?"  "He  was 
very  well,"  replied  the  youths,  brightening  at 
the  thought  that  they  were  the  countrymen  of 


ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON".  127 

Washington — "he  was  very  well,  general, 
when  we  left  America.' '  "Ah,  gentlemen !" 
rejoined  he,  "  Washington  can  never  be  other- 
wise than  well.  The  measure  of  his  fame  is 
full.  Posterity  will  talk  of  him  with  reverence 
as  the  founder  of  a  great  empire,  when  my  name 
shall  be  lost  in  the  vortex  of  revolutions !" 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  GUARD. 

An  Englishman  in  Philadelphia,  speaking  of 
the  presidency  of  Washington,  was  expressing 
a  wish  to  behold  him.  While  this  conversation 
passed,  "There  he  goes,"  replied  the  Ameri- 
can, pointing  to  a  tall,  erect,  dignified  person- 
age, passing  on  the  other  side  of  the  street. 
"That  general  Washington!"  exclaimed  the 
Englishman;  "where  is  his  guard?"  "Here," 
replied  the  American,  striking  on  his  bosom 
with  emphasis. 


128  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

WASHINGTON  IN  RETIREMENT. 

The  rest  for  which  Washington  had  longed, 
was  not  idleness ;  and  when  he  had  examined 
every  part  of  his  large  farm,  which  had  been 
in  some  degree  neglected  daring  his  absence, 
he  immediately  commenced  the  employment 
of  improving  it. 

His  faithful  mother,  informing  his  first  hab- 
its, had  not  neglected  that  of  early  rising  ;  and 
through  the  whole  of  his  useful  life  that  habit 
was  continued.  In  winter  he  rose  usually  two 
hours  before  day ;  and  in  summer  was  ready 
to  enjoy  the  healthful  freshness  and  beauty  of 
the  dawn.  Thus  did  the  man  who  stands 
highest  in  the  admiration  of  the  world,  and 
whose  deeds  were  exalted  and  laborious,  set 
an  example  to  his  countrymen,  which,  if  they 
imitate,  they  will  gain  for  themselves  many  a 
precious  hour;  which,  if  well  employed,  may 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  129 

tend  to  secure  the  divine  promise,  "  The  Lord 
shall  command  the  blessing  upon  thee  in  thy 
storehouses,  and  in  all  that  thou  settest  thy 
hand  unto  :  and  he  shall  bless  thee  in  the  land 
which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee." 

The  habit  of  early  rising,  in  connexion  with 
the  exemplary  one  of  strict  attention  to  order 
in  all  his  employments,  gave  Washington 
"time  for  all  things ;"  so  that,  though  he  had 
such  numerous  and  arduous  public  duties  to 
attend  to,  he  did  not  neglect  any  private  one, 
but  performed  with  ease  himself  what  would 
seem  to  be  employment  for  many.  He  was  re- 
markably neat  in  his  person,  but  used  a  very 
short  portion  of  time  for  attention  to  his  dress. 

After  his  return  to  his  farm,  he  visited  his 
stables  every  day,  to  be  certain  that  his  horses 
were  well  taken  care  of.  The  one  on  which 
he  rode  when  directing  the  siege  of  Yorktown, 
he  did  not  use  again.     It  was  allowed  to  graze 


130  ANECDOTES   OF  WASHINGTON. 

on  the  best  pasture  in  summer,  and  was  care- 
fully stabled  in  winter,  and  died  of  old  age, 
several  years  after  the  close  of  the  war. 

Washington  was  employed  for  several  hours 
each  day  in  visiting  all  parts  of  his  large  farm. 
He  went  alone,  opening  and  shutting  the  gates, 
and  pulling  down  and  putting  up  the  bars,  as 
he  passed. 

One  day,  colonel  Meade,  a  valued  friend  of 
Washington,  was  met  by  Mr.  Custis,  a  relation 
of  Mrs.  Washington ;  colonel  Meade  inquired 
if  he  should  find  the  general  at  the  house,  or  if 
he  was  out  on  the  farm.  Mr.  Custis,  not  know- 
ing colonel  Meade,  replied,  that  the  general 
was  out ;  and  giving  directions  as  to  the  part  of 
the  farm  on  which  he  would  probably  be  found, 
added,  "  You  will  meet,  sir,  an  old  gentleman, 
riding  alone,  in  plain  drab  clothes,  a  broad-brim- 
med white  hat,  a  hickory  switch  in  his  hand, 
and  carrying  a  long  staff,  which  is  attached  to 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  131 

his  saddle  bow ;  that,  sir,  is  general  Washing- 
ton ! "  The  old  friend  of  Washington  replied, 
"Thank  ye,  thank  ye,  young  gentleman;  I 
think,  if  I  fall  in  with  the  general,  I  shall  be 
rather  apt  to  know  him." 

This  description  of  Washington  gives  us 
some  knowledge  of  how  he  looked  on  his  farm. 
So  many  pictures  of  him,  in  different  situations, 
have  been  drawn,  and  young  Americans  have 
so  often  seen  him  represented  on  sign-posts  in 
every  part  of  the  land,  that  they  think  they 
know  exactly  how  he  looked ;  but  unless  they 
had  seen  him,  instead  of  pictures  of  him,  they 
can  have  no  correct  idea  of  his  noble  appear- 
ance. 

In  his  vouth  he  was  remarkable  for  the 
straightness  and  manliness  of  his  form,  which 
was  six  feet  and  two  inches  high.  The  expres- 
sion of  his  countenance  was  serious,  but  very 
pleasing ;  his  eyes  were  a  mild  blue ;  and  the 


132  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

flush  of  health  gave  a  glow  to  his  cheeks.  His 
step  was  always  firm ;  but  after  the  toils  of 
the  long  war,  his  body  was  a  little  bent  as  he 
walked,  and  his  once  smooth  forehead  and 
cheeks  were  marked  with  care-worn  furrows. 


LAST  HOURS  OF  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

On  Friday,  the  13th  of  December,  1799, 
while  attending  to  some  improvements  upon 
his  estate,  he  was  exposed  to  a  slight  rain,  by 
which  his  hair  and  neck  became  wet.  _  His 
clothes  being  also  damp,  he  changed  them 
when  he  returned  home,  and  sat  down  to  an 
in-door  employment ;  for  he  never  passed  an 
hour  in  idleness.  In  the  evening,  when  he 
joined  his  family  at  the  tea  table,  he  said  he 
felt  a  chilness,  and  after  drinking  one  cup  of 
tea  he  went  into  his  library,  where  he  re- 
mained alone  all  the  evening ;  for  his  family 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  133 

knew  that  he  wished  not  to  be  disturbed  when 
he  was  there. 

His  usual  hour  of  retiring  was  nine  o'clock. 
When  that  hour  passed,  Mrs.  Washington  be- 
came uneasy,  because  she  did  not  hear  his  well- 
known  step,  or  his  call  to  the  family  to  prepare 
for  bed.  When,  at  length,  he  entered  his  cham- 
ber, she  expressed  her  surprise  that  he  had  staid 
in  his  library  so  late,  when  he  was  not  well ; 
he  replied,  "I  came  as  soon  as  the  business  I 
was  engaged  in  was  accomplished  ;  you  know 
that  through  life  it  has  been  my  unvaried  rule 
never  to  put  off  till  to-morrow  the  duties  which 
should  be  performed  to-day. " 

In  the  night,  he  was  seized  with  an  inflam- 
matory affection  of  the  windpipe.  The  disease 
commenced  with  a  violent  ague,  accompanied 
with  some  pain  in  the  upper  and  fore  part  of 
the  throat,  a  sense  of  stricture  in  the  same  part, 
a  cough,  and  a  difficult,  rather  than  a  painful, 


134  ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON. 

deglutition,  which  were  soon  succeeded  by  a 
fever,  and  a  quick  and  laborious  respiration. 

Believing  blood-letting  to  be  necessary,  he 
procured  a  bleeder,  who  took  from  his  arm 
twelve  or  fourteen  ounces  of  blood ;  but  he 
would  not  permit  a  messenger  to  be  despatched 
for  his  family  physician  until  the  appearance  of 
day.  About  eleven  in  the  morning  Dr.  Craik 
arrived  ;  and  perceiving  the  extreme  danger  of 
the  case,  requested  that  two  consulting  physi- 
cians should  be  immediately  sent  for.  The  ut- 
most exertions  of  medical  skill  were  applied  in 
vain.  The  powers  of  life  were  manifestly  yield- 
ing to  the  force  of  the  disorder ;  speaking,  which 
was  painful  from  the  beginning,  became  almost 
impracticable ;  respiration  became  more  and 
more  imperfect ;  until  half  past  eleven  on  Sa- 
turday night,  when,  retaining  the  full  possession 
of  his  intellect,  he  expired  without  a  struggle. 
His  departure  was  so  peaceful  that  the  friends 


ANECDOTES    OF    WASHINGTON.  135 

who  were  watching  him,  in  almost  breathless 
silence,  did  not  know  the  moment  of  his  death. 
His  loved  wife  kneeled  beside  his  bed,  with 
her  head  resting  on  the  Bible,  in  which  she 
daily  read  the  precepts  and  cheering  promises 
of  her  Savior ;  and  they  comforted  her  in  the 
hour  of  deepest  sorrow.  Her  miniature  por- 
trait was  found  on  the  bosom  of  Washington, 
where  he  had  worn  it  for  forty  years. 

Believing  at  the  commencement  of  his  com- 
plaint, as  well  as  through  every  succeeding 
stage  of  it,  that  its  conclusion  would  be  mortal, 
he  submitted  to  the  exertions  made  for  his  re- 
covery rather  as  a  duty,  than  from  any  expecta- 
tion of  their  efficacy.  Some  hours  before  his 
death,  after  repeated  efforts  to  be  understood, 
he  succeeded  in  expressing  a  desire  that  he 
might  be  permitted  to  die  without  interruption. 
After  it  became  impossible  to  get  any  thing 
down  his  throat,  he  undressed  himself,   and 


136  ANECDOTES    OF  WASHINGTON. 

went  to  bed,  there  to  die.  To  his  friend  and 
physician,  Dr.  Craik,  who  sat  on  his  bed,  and 
took  his  head  in  his  lap,  he  said,  with  difficulty, 
"Doctor,  I  am  dying;  I  have  been  dying  for 
a  long  time;   but  I  am  not  afraid  to  die." 

During  the  short  period  of  his  illness,  he 
economized  his  time,  in  arranging,  with  the 
utmost  serenity,  those  few  concerns  which 
required  his  attention,  and  anticipated  his  ap- 
proaching dissolution  with  every  demonstration 
of  that  equanimity  which  was  so  uniformly  and 
singularly  conspicuous. 

The  deep  and  wide-spreading  grief  occasion- 
ed by  this  melancholy  event,  assembled  a  great 
concourse  of  people,  for  the  purpose  of  paying 
the  last  tribute  of  respect  to  the  first  of  Ameri- 
cans. On  Wednesday,  the  18th  of  December, 
attended  by  military  honors  and  the  ceremonies 
of  religion,  his  body  was  deposited  in  the  family 
vault  at  Mount  Vernon. 


ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON.  137 

So  short  was  his  illness,  that,  at  the  seat 
of  government,  the  intelligence  of  his  death 
preceded  that  of  his  indisposition.  It  was  first 
communicated,  by  a  passenger  in  the  stage,  to 
an  acquaintance,  whom  he  met  in  the  street, 
and  the  report  quickly  reached  the  house  of 
representatives,  which  was  then  in  session.  A 
solemn  silence  prevailed  for  several  minutes ; 
judge  Marshall,  late  chief  justice  of  the  United 
States,  then  a  member  of  the  house,  stated  in 
his  place  the  melancholy  information  which 
had  been  received.  This  information,  he  said, 
was  not  certain,  but  there  wTas  too  much  rea- 
son to  believe  it  true. 

"After  receiving  intelligence,"  he  added, 
"of  a  national  calamity  so  heavy  and  afflict- 
ing, the  house  of  representatives  can  be  but 
ill  fitted  for  public  business."  He  therefore 
moved  an  adjournment.  Both  houses  ad- 
journed until  the  next  day. 


138  ANECDOTES    OF   WASHINGTON. 

On  the  succeeding  day,  as  soon  as  the  or- 
ders were  read,  the  same  member  addressed 
the  chair,  and  afterwards  offered  the  following 
resolutions : 

"  Resolved,  that  this  house  will  wait  upon 
the  president,  in  condolence  of  this  mournful 
event. 

"  Resolved,  that  the  speaker's  chair  be 
shrouded  with  black,  and  that  the  members 
and  officers  of  the  house  wear  black  during 
the  session. 

"  Resolved,  that  a  committee,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  one  from  the  senate,  be  appointed 
to  consider  on  the  most  suitable  manner  of 
paying  honor  to  the  memory  of  the  man,  first 
in  war,  first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts 
of  his  countrymen." 


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